The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible ~ Luke 6:237-42 September 29, 2013 ~ New City Church Calgary

~ Pastor John Ferguson Intro: We as a Western culture live at an interesting moment in history. On the one hand, we want to have a private morality where everyone is free to do what is right in their own eyes. We are suspicious of anyone who tells us that there is a right way to act, and so we are quick to condemn anyone who presumes to speak with moral authority. Who are you to judge me? Doesnt the Bible say, Do not judge?

And yet we are quick to judge people: we are quick to judge and condemn those we perceive to be judgmental and condemning On the other hand, we find ourselves needing judgment / evaluation in our world, and perhaps the next. Breaking Bad, Jesse confesses to killing a dog simply b/c it was a problem. Group leader: Where not here to sit in judgment. Jesse: Why not? Why not? The thing is, if you just do stuff and nothing happens, whats it all mean? Whats the point? All right, this whole thing is about self-acceptance [] So I should stop judging and accept. [] So no matter what I do, hooray for me, because Im a great guy? Its all good, no matter how many dogs I kill what, I do an inventory, and accept? Vincent Gilligan, the creator of AMCs Breaking Bad said in the NY Times, If theres a larger lesson to Breaking Bad, its that actions have consequencesI feel some sort of need for biblical atonement, or justice, or something. I want to believe theres a heaven. But I cant NOT believe theres a hell. (qtd. in No Such Mercy, David Zahl, Christianity Today, July/Aug 2013). o In Breaking Bad, everyone gets whats coming to them. All law. All karma. No grace. So we find ourselves with a tension: we dont want anyone to judge us, and yet we cant not live without a sense of justice. What are we to do with the idea of judgment? Can we make judgments? If not, why not? If so, how so? How is a follower of Jesus to navigate these waters in a judgmental, condemning, unforgiving and stingy world? The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible ~ Luke 6:37-42

Context: The upside down kingdom (vv. 20-26) & a revolutionary kind of love (vv. 27-36) Vs. 36, Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

Must be careful: is Jesus saying never make a judgment? What about courts? What about ethical behavior? Can I even judge myself that Im being judgmental. Ryken, 281, When he tells us not to judge, he is telling us not to treat people unfairly or unjustly in the court of our own opinion. In a word, we must not be judgmental.

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you use it will be measured back to you. This is not karma; this is the purposeful blessing of God. Christ is calling his followers to be magnanimous = generous spirit big-hearted o Having or showing a generous spirit; one who is generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentment or vindictiveness. 39 He also told them a parable: Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Point of the parable: be careful whom we choose to follow. Jesus repeatedly called the scribes and Pharisees, blind guides. o Mt. 15:14, Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. This is a warning about following the wrong spiritual guides, as well as an invitation to follow Him, the true spiritual guide. His audience should leave their old spiritual guides (The Pharisees) b/c they will wreck your life. Jesus says in effect, Follow me.

41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, First take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brothers eye. This is a humorous illustration, but what Jesus is saying is deadly serious. 1. The issue of Proportion: we tend to be more concerned with minor issues in the lives of others than the major issues in our own lives 2. The issue of Priority: we find it is more important that other people are straightened out then we are that we are straightened out. 3. The issue of Hypocrisy Main Idea: 2

The measure we use to judge others is the measure by which well be judged. Application: 1. Be careful how you judge. Everyone judges. Its inescapable. o Even the person who says Its wrong to judge is making a judgment. o Even the person who says, Who are you to judge me? is making a judgment. But you dont have to be judgmental. A judgmental person rejoices in putting other people down by pointing out whats wrong in their life. There is no desire for mercy, no ounce of compassion. They live in a grace-less world. And Jesus says, watch out! Jesus wants us to be accurate in our judgments of others. o John 7:24, Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. Jesus is merciful like his Father is merciful (7:36). o Jesus crucified, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing (23:34). Jesus puts the best spin on their willful sin. Jesus is magnanimous like his Father is magnanimous. o Acts 1:8, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. The very people that had crucified him, Jesus offered mercy to first. 2. Be quick to judge yourself. Jonathan Edwards: Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

3. Be grateful for grace. Bono, The thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that Id be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge It doesnt excuse my mistakes, but Im holding out for Grace. Im holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I dont have to depend on my own religiosity.

Conclusion: We live in a world that is judgmental, that is critical, unforgiving, and stingy. Jesus called his 1st century followers as well as his 21st century followers to different way of being humana way that reflects what life is like in the Kingdom of God.