The Life of Christ

This doesn't mean we are not allowed to make critical evaluations; that is a natural part of life.

• Jesus ’ exhorts us not to make judgments upon how others should live if we are guilty of the same.

• To make such judgments defines us as a hypocrite.

Lk. 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

“Poured into your lap” describes how an outer garment was worn in Bible days; it left a fold over the belt that could be used as a large pocket to hold a measure of wheat.

• The measure of return for our generosity will be measured back to us beyond the measure we have given.

Mt. 7:3 “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

The speck is anything minute that can fly into one’s eye, which could include sawdust, a piece of dust, or even a speck of wool.

Mt. 7:4-5 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 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.”

The key to understanding this parable is to realize the speck and the log each represent the same identical sin.

• When there is sin in our own life, it can be measured as a size of a small piece of sawdust.

• However, if we then point out that same fault in the life of another, the sawdust in our eyes has suddenly grown into a full-blown log in God's estimation.

• Needless to say, the beam in our own eye needs to be removed before we can offer help to the other.

Mt. 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

This parable warns us to be selective when sharing sacred or special things with certain people.

• This might include sharing truth with one who is not open to hear what we say or have the ability to appreciate the truth we give. • As a result, not only do they reject our pearls of advice, but then turn around and attack what we were trying to share.

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