Learning from Jesus - Pt. 16

 

[Jesus said] “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.” (Matthew 7:3-5 ESV).

 

Our lesson from one of Jesus’ questions today is a classic. It is also one of the most comical images Jesus used in His teachings. However, it is a very serious accusation from the Master Teacher. He says those who try to correct others without correcting themselves are hypocrites. That is a very grave declaration. Unfortunately, it applies to so many people today. We can be very quick look outward and criticize others instead of looking inward to see our own faults.

 

Some examples of this are what we refer to today as conscious or unconscious bias. We tend to like what we are familiar with, and we tend not to like what we find to be different. And these things have a way of shaping our judgments about others. We also tend to think that others would be happier if they were like us. But we don’t take the time to think about what that says about us.

 

Jesus wants us to look inwardly and to see what our own faults are before we address the faults of others. It’s not easy to admit we have blind spots, but when we begin to see them, we have a new appreciation for others, and it is easier to show God’s grace and love.

 

I wonder what our conversations might look like if we took the time to talk with one another, hear each other’s stories, learn to care for one another, and discover that we might not be so different after all. Today is a good day to try clearing our own faults out of our lives.