Jesus on Judging Others

Today we all have become judgemental.  We see wrong in everything that is happening around us and in everyone around us. Even in Jesus’ time it was the same.  But Jesus was explicitly rebuking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who were always quick to see the sins and wrongs of the poor Jews and never accountable of their own. This passage is in continuation to the sermon on the mount where Jesus is teaching the crowds what it means to live faithfully as a committed follower of Christ, one who pursues holiness out of reverence for God. Jesus is proclaiming a high moral standard that is consistent with what it means to live as a citizen of the kingdom of God.

Believers who live in this kingdom are called to live differently, and He is explaining what that looks like in a very practical sense. His words are not hard to understand as he sets up a strong moral ethic that reflects what it means to love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself.

Many a times, we too fall into this habit of correcting others, especially I have noticed when one returns from a retreat.  What ever we have learnt we apply on others and forget to repent and correct ourselves while the real reason we need to go for a retreat is change our hearts, to know where we are wrong and to know more about Jesus and to be like him.

One also must be careful not to use this passage out of context as a “shield for sin,” a barrier to keep others at bay, allowing us to justify living as we please without any regard for moral boundaries or accountability. 

Reflecting on the above passage let us look into ourselves and ask Jesus if in any way our behaviour is like a hypocrite either at home or in society.  We make rules for our own siblings and children but we ourselves do not follow.  Help us Lord to reveal the areas of our lives where we need to change to become more like you.