Upside Down Kingdom: Mission & Message | Week 12 | Judge Like Jesus | Matthew 7:1-6 & 12-14

Week 12 | Judge Like Jesus

“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

Matthew 7:1-6 & 12-14
 
This section begins with one of the most famous and oft quoted verses, by Christians and non-Christians alike, in the entire Bible. It also happens to be one of the most misapplied and misunderstood. It also includes a well-known teaching on blind hypocrisy, a verse you likely did know Jesus said because of its obscurity and perceived offensiveness, and Jesus’ version of the universal “golden rule.”

Who are you to Judge? (7:1-2) - We live in a cultural ethos where everyone has an unfettered right to do whatever they want or feel. Concepts like right and wrong or good and evil are not firm timeless truths that stand alone and apply universally to all people. Instead, right and wrong are fluid ideas that change over time and place and are ultimately decided by personal desires, intellect, experience, of individuals and groups. When Jesus says, “Judge not,” He is not instructing us to throw out clear teaching or ignore sin. We are called to use critical thinking and discernment while applying justice and rebuke with mercy and integrity. Judgment belongs to Jesus, so does forgiveness, and ultimately only He can render both perfectly.

Plank vs Speck (7:3-5) – It is easy to see the small sins in others while being blind to the big sins and issues we are dealing with. Sometimes there are grievously worse sins that can completely blind and paralyze us. These are planks in our eyes. Planks are big and debilitating. They keep you from moving and effectively helping others at all but ultimately, we can still function moving forward and helping others. We need to have clear, unimpaired vision to be able to perform delicate procedures on others. Do not be a hypocrite while you try to help others grow.

Pearls for Pigs (7:6) – Jesus transitions from warning us on being too harsh with our brothers and sisters in Christ and hypocritical with ourselves, to being too lax in giving what is holy and valuable to dogs and swine who seek to misuse and destroy what is from God and attack the people of God. Good judgement includes knowing when to disengage.

Golden Rule (7:12-14) – Jesus takes a well-known and popular Jewish proverb and gives it a remix. “What you hate, do not do to anyone” gets restated positively “Whatever you wish others would do to you, do also to them”. This is not an insignificant change. Jesus is showing God’s character and how we as God’s children and citizens of His kingdom are supposed to respond to others with purposeful and proactive love.

QUESTIONS: 

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus or judgement?
2. How are judgement and discernment different? What happens when we only condemn or condone with out proper consideration?
3. Why is it essential to focus on the plank in your eye before attempting to engage with the specks in other’s eyes? How does this teaching lead us both to greater humility and greater boldness?
4. Why it is Jesus restating the “golden rule” positively such a paradigm shift? How does this help us love our neighbor as ourselves?

PRAY –  Praise God the Father for His perfect judgement. Thank Jesus for enduring the plank of the Cross so we would not suffer condemnation for our sin. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment on where we need to grow and how we should engage with others.