Monday 9th September
Read Matthew 7:1
“‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (NIVUK)
The importance of context in understanding the words of Jesus is never more evident than here. Some take Jesus’ words literally and refuse to call out behaviour that is clearly wrong on the grounds that is a judgement that Jesus has forbidden us to make. They become undiscerning and accept everything on face value because they believe they must. They are also unconcerned by the judgement Jesus calls those same people to make only a few short verses on… (Matthew 7:6).
How does the context help us understand the command? For most of the sermon Jesus has enjoined us to pursue righteousness and holiness. He has encouraged us to be single-minded in pursuing the kingdom of God. Those that succeed invariably face a new challenge. They are tempted to look down on those who have not advanced quite so far. The context tells us that Jesus calls us not to be judgmental. At the heart of the kingdom is a humble, servant heart.
Discerning and destroying pride within one’s own heart takes incredibly precise judgement after all! It also requires a willingness to be judged.
