It all started with a very simple judgment, the kind of judgment we all make every single day – about someone/somebody else. We look, we see, we judge. Sometimes we over-hear, and then, we judge. It happens all the time. Sometimes I wonder how many times we make judgments about other people in a given day?
This is kind of interesting…
It has been said: You can divide the entire world into two groups of people. …kinda sounds already like making a judgment to me!!!!
There are those who believe you can divide the world that simply…and it has been tried many times….
The “haves” versus the “have nots” for example…rich and poor, black and white, religious and non-religious.
Then on the other side. You have those people who believe it is impossible to reduce the entire world so simply…because it is obviously so much more complex than all that.
The disciples were in the first group. They saw things very simply.
Jesus on the other-hand, belonged to the other group…the second group. He saw many shades of gray…and would not reduce people to stereotypes. He would not put people into nicely little man-made boxes.
Much to the chagrin of the disciples – Jesus was calling them to live in a world that is not – “US and THEM.”
He was attempting to widen their horizons.
Again, the world is too complex. Its peoples are too complex. We are all too different, to be lumped together and categorized.
Instead Jesus was attempting to help them see a bigger picture…a bigger and larger world view, if you will.
The world is not “us” and “them.”
[We think,] and of course this is speculation based on his teachings…but [we think]…that Jesus saw the world as consisting of “all the Children of God.”
All people, all races, all religions, all cultures, belonged to the one God and Father of us all. All were created unique and loved by their creator.
Jesus seemed to have this much larger-broader view of the world.
Yes, there was Jew and Gentile, but were not both created by the same father in heaven? Were not all his children? Were not all under his care?
Doesn’t the sun and the rain water all of creation? Doesn’t God’s love shine down on all people? Isn’t the grace of God for “all people?”
We have talked about this and mentioned this before, but doesn’t “all” mean “ALL?”
It is “we” who want certain people excluded, it is “we” who don’t think or believe “that person” is worthy of God.
It is “we” who stereotype – it is “we” who profile, just as it is “we” – who are constantly making and passing judgment on our “fellow human beings.”
In today’s world – “we” often want to “box in” God’s goodness and healing and not allow God to work healing-health-goodness-justice-peace through “others” – who are outside what “we perceive” to be our “religious affinity club of Christians.”
“We” are the ones who are so quick to “judge the other.”
Yes, I am acutely aware that the scriptures say, “Judgment is mine, saith the Lord.”
But doesn’t that mean to imply that it is “his” to decide and not “ours” to decide? Judgment, all judgment belongs to him…so what is it…that we think we are doing?
Doesn’t our judgments – judge us? Isn’t that way it works?
Just who put you in charge?
Who sent out “that” email? Or, was it a text? Or a tweet?
Who do you think you are?
Jesus here – is on full teaching mode. He is speaking parabolically, he is not speaking literally.
Jesus is saying…stop doing whatever it is – that is causing you to stumble and to sin. Stop it! Stop it now! And that totally includes judging the other. Jesus is not talking about “punishment” but about “prevention.” Nip it! Nip it in the bud! Prevent yourself from falling into sin. It is that old…“Judge not. Lest ye be judged!” If judgment occurs, it is because we bring it on ourselves.
“We” are the ones who sin.
“We” are the ones pointing the finger.
“We” are the ones talking about others… “We” are the ones who separate the sheep and the goats…or who want to…
Just stop it, Jesus says…stop all this judgment and just love one another. Trust me, it is enough. It is more than enough! …To love one another…as God loves you!