Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Matthew 7:1-6.
Many of us will forever have a particular image in our minds when we read this passage. At FunDay Sunday this past spring, Pastor Nathan preached from this passage. At a point in the sermon, he reached down and put a hardhat on his head. Protruding from the front and rear of the hardhat was a huge two by four. It was an effective prop to illustrate the passage, and the children’s director immediately asked to borrow the hardhat for Power Up. She wanted to share that powerful image with our kids. Jesus was being humorous when he compared the speck of sawdust in the other person’s eye that we are prone to point out, even when we have a plank protruding from our own eye.
The key point here is that we are not to judge others. I cannot remember how many times I have said, “Not to be judgmental here, but…” and then I proceed to judge someone. We never know enough about the other person, their background, or the details of their situation to be their judge. And as Jesus powerfully reminds us in this passage, we likely have much more to be judged for than does the other person.
Personal Worship Option:
Think for a few moments about opinions you have formed recently about other people. Were some of those opinions negative? Did this amount to judging? Jesus would have us reflect on where we need to be better instead of judging others.
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