Day 8: Matthew 7
Today's evening devotion is Matthew 7, which concludes the Sermon on the Mount. The conclusion is very meaty, with Jesus using a range of analogies and warnings to teach the crowd about how to treat each other and about doing the will of God.
In common practice, a person usually says "don't judge" when he or she is about to do something that may elicit a negative reaction or disapproval from a companion. For example, throwing recyclable waste into a regular trash receptacle, instead of a recycling bin. Or driving to the grocery store across the street instead of walking.
So, to me, the use of "don't judge" colloquially seems to be equivalent to telling someone, "I know what I'm doing isn't great but I'm going to do it anyway. And I know what you're thinking but I don't want to hear it."
Yet, I think judging is a natural part of being human, and in the realm of Christianity I think a Christian has to judge, or determine whether someone is committing a sin, especially a sin against a fellow Christian. If one doesn't judge, or weigh the moral significance of an action, how would one know what to praise and what to forgive?
My thought on this matter has, for a while now, been that judging is a normal part of human interactions. But what's important is the sentence one metes to the person he has just judged.
Or maybe... maybe I've missed the point of the verse.
Jesus finishes the thought about judgment by explicitly calling out hypocrites. So perhaps the point is simple: Don't be a hypocrite. Or put in a more positive light: Bring yourself to the path first before trying to pull others on to the righteous path.
But I still struggle with this, especially with a personal situation that I haven't quite figured out.
I'll be flat-out honest here. What was the meaning Jesus tried to convey when he talked about dogs and pigs in the following verse?
One could say that dogs and pigs are sinners. And that God is holy, obviously. But then you end up with an interpretation that says Jesus should not be given to sinners, which we know was definitely not the case.
So what does Matthew 7:6 really mean?
I recently listened to a sermon by Tim Keller discussing the situation with the rich young ruler to whom Jesus said, "Sell everything and follow me." And the encounter concluded with the rich young ruler leaving Jesus, sad and in grief.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus seems to be explaining that the path to salvation is not an easy path. In fact, "not easy" is an understatement. "Nearly impossible" might be a better description. Yet, the narrow gate will ultimately take us to where we truly want to go.
I struggle with this every day when it comes to food. I know that eating less will bring me better health in the long run, but I frequently succumb to the allure of that extra serving of food that tastes so good but I really, really don't need (nor want, deep down inside).
The meaning of judgment
"Don't judge." A very common phrase used by Christians and non-Christians alike, I think. And I think this is one of the teachings that I really, really want to reconcile between my interpretation and what seems to be the prevalent understanding.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2 ESV)
In common practice, a person usually says "don't judge" when he or she is about to do something that may elicit a negative reaction or disapproval from a companion. For example, throwing recyclable waste into a regular trash receptacle, instead of a recycling bin. Or driving to the grocery store across the street instead of walking.
So, to me, the use of "don't judge" colloquially seems to be equivalent to telling someone, "I know what I'm doing isn't great but I'm going to do it anyway. And I know what you're thinking but I don't want to hear it."
Yet, I think judging is a natural part of being human, and in the realm of Christianity I think a Christian has to judge, or determine whether someone is committing a sin, especially a sin against a fellow Christian. If one doesn't judge, or weigh the moral significance of an action, how would one know what to praise and what to forgive?
My thought on this matter has, for a while now, been that judging is a normal part of human interactions. But what's important is the sentence one metes to the person he has just judged.
Or maybe... maybe I've missed the point of the verse.
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:5 ESV)
Jesus finishes the thought about judgment by explicitly calling out hypocrites. So perhaps the point is simple: Don't be a hypocrite. Or put in a more positive light: Bring yourself to the path first before trying to pull others on to the righteous path.
But I still struggle with this, especially with a personal situation that I haven't quite figured out.
Of dogs and pigs
I'll be flat-out honest here. What was the meaning Jesus tried to convey when he talked about dogs and pigs in the following verse?
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (Matthew 7:6 ESV)
One could say that dogs and pigs are sinners. And that God is holy, obviously. But then you end up with an interpretation that says Jesus should not be given to sinners, which we know was definitely not the case.
So what does Matthew 7:6 really mean?
Seek the narrow door
I recently listened to a sermon by Tim Keller discussing the situation with the rich young ruler to whom Jesus said, "Sell everything and follow me." And the encounter concluded with the rich young ruler leaving Jesus, sad and in grief.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus seems to be explaining that the path to salvation is not an easy path. In fact, "not easy" is an understatement. "Nearly impossible" might be a better description. Yet, the narrow gate will ultimately take us to where we truly want to go.
I struggle with this every day when it comes to food. I know that eating less will bring me better health in the long run, but I frequently succumb to the allure of that extra serving of food that tastes so good but I really, really don't need (nor want, deep down inside).
A Tree and Its Fruit
When Jesus talks about trees and fruit, I am pretty sure that "trees" refers to people.
A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:18-20 ESV)
Then what do "fruits" refer to? Maybe the fruits of trees are the actions of people.