Tuesday 10th September
Read Matthew 7:1-2
“‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIVUK)
The intent of Jesus at the end of the sermon is to warn His followers against judgmental attitudes. It is not the case that we can avoid being judged if we don’t judge at all – it is not a get out of jail free pass for being so lax in everything that nothing can stick to us either!
So we are left with two options to consider with respect to what Jesus really means by the comparison. The first is that Jesus is making an observation about the consequences of criticism ‘horizontally’. If one demonstrates a critical spirit it should be entirely obvious that that person will be judged by their peers more critically. Second, Jesus is making an observation about the ‘vertical’ consequences of judgmentalism. Whatever standard we set when considering the behaviour of others will be applied to us at the final assize by God. Admittedly, both could be true. The context suggests the latter is what Jesus has in mind, particularly when we consider earlier statements in the sermon (cf Matthew 5:7, 6:14ff).
If Jesus is drawing the second comparison then it is a very strong warning to be self-reflective because we always, always, judge ourselves more leniently. If we insist on applying a standard that reflects well on us, we need to consider whether we really want that same standard applied to us by a God who is perfect, holy in every way, and just.
