In Matthew 7, “Jesus moves from personal temptations to interpersonal temptations” (ESV Study Bible Notes). This means that our relationship with others is on par with our relationship with the Father in terms of importance. Ultimately, it’s all about our personal relationships. In contemporary Christianity we have the tendency to think that things are all about me and Jesus. We must move beyond this by remembering that our relationships with others are crucial. They are important to the father.
In his treatment of the issue, Jesus reminds us not to judge (Matt 7:1). Notice that at first the command seems absolute and universal, but then Jesus does something different with it. Jesus isn’t saying “never judge”, he’s saying “don’t think yourself better than others out of arrogance.” This comes through in the metaphor (and hyperbole) that he uses about the speck and the log.
He says, Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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.
Notice, once again, that Jesus is giving permission here to “take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The condition of this, however, is to be humbled first by dealing with your own issues before judging others. “ultimately the one who feels grieved and humbled by his own sin can help remove the ‘speck’ from others” (ESV Study Bible Notes).
Christians have been accused of judging others when Jesus teaches us not to judge based on this passage. This passage doesn’t teach us not to judge. To the contrary, this passage also teaches us that we should judge, but that we can only do so once we’ve arrived at a proper place in dealing with our own sin first.
In verse 6 of this same chapter, Jesus turns a corner. He says,
Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
I’ve struggled with this verse in the past because I’ve always understood that the pearls symbolized the Kingdom of God (i.e., the Gospel) and certainly we should preach the Kingdom to EVERYONE! Jesus corrects this thinking. Yes, the pearls are the Kingdom indeed, but he’s clearly teaching here that we should not preach the Kingdom to those who adamantly reject it. The Kingdom is for those who are prepared to receive it.
This point reminds us that bringing people into the Kingdom is GOD’S work, not our own. God is preparing hearts by his grace and through the Holy Spirit to receive the Kingdom. Lest we mindlessly and prayerlessly preach the kingdom as if it’s our own work! Let us JOIN the father in his work. Let us be humbled over our own sin so that we can help one another.
Thanks Matt…I’ve been trying to inform people of this very thing, but they think I’m wrong when I know our Lord says it this way….