“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1-5

“Don’t judge me” has been a popular credo forever. Many folks will quote or paraphrase Matthew 7:1 in order to back up their demand and/or defend their actions. And it is true that Jesus tells us in these first 5 verses of Matthew 7 not to judge others or we too will be judged at the same level. That we, as believers, are to avoid being hypocrites who walk around pointing out the faults and failures of others while knowing full well we have our own. And honestly, our faults and failures may very well be worse.

So what exactly was Jesus saying in this passage? Is he giving carte blanche to any behavior? Is he saying that everyone should just do whatever they want and as long they don’t judge others then they shouldn’t be judged? Nope.

I believe Jesus is saying to not be Pharisaic—pious, hypocritical. As believers we are mercifully forgiven and redeemed. Of all the people on planet earth, we should be the most loving, forgiving and merciful. As believers in Jesus Christ we are well aware of our shortcomings but unfortunately, our tendency can be to look at others (believers and otherwise), and tell ourselves that at least we aren’t doing or have never done this or that. This attitude isn’t our calling. We are called to be first responders. We are called to be in the world but not conformed to it. We are called to know who we are in Christ and love accordingly even if we don’t find someone particularly lovely. God knows I struggle with this just like you probably do. But struggle we must. If we simply check out, sit down so to speak and pat ourselves on the back for our self-perceived honorable behavior as Christians, then we may feel real holy in our personal bubble but we aren’t. And if we only spend our time with like-minded groups we call those holy huddles and they are just as ineffective. Jesus tells us not to judge because that’s His role. Scripture is very clear about our role:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

When questioned by an “expert” in the law, Jesus told this story to explain who our neighbor is:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37

Heavenly Father, forgive us for numbing our minds and hearts to those you have called us to help in YOUR name. Forgive us for sitting in our pious, holy huddles patting each other on the back for being such good followers of Christ as we watch the deterioration of our world around us and proclaim “someone should really do something about this.” May we find the courage to stand in YOUR name and be your hands and feet, filled with the fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May your people be awakened! Send revelation, bring restoration—start with me Lord—here I am, send me! Amen.

C. Deni Johnson