The Parable of the Log and the Speck

 

[Jesus said] “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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. 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.” (Matthew 7:1-6 ESV).

 

Some years ago I used the Andy Griffith Show as a platform for exploring some of the morals that were taught through the stories of each episode. I was reminded of one called “Opie’s Charity” with our reading today. The episode from 1960 begins with Annabelle Silby coming by Andy’s house while he and Opie are playing catch. She’s soliciting help for the annual children’s charity drive. When Andy and Annabelle go to the courthouse to discuss the status of the fund-raiser, she compliments Mayberry’s children for their willingness to help. Andy uses this opportunity to brag on Opie, suggesting he’s probably one of the biggest contributors in the class. Annabelle, however, tells Andy that Opie has only given 3 cents to the charity. And the next lowest contributor was 5 cents.

 

When Andy returns home he has a discussion with Opie about the importance of giving and supporting the charity drive. Opie says he’s saving his money to buy a gift for his girlfriend, Charlotte. As the show unfolds, Opie is resolute in his determination to save money for Charlotte’s gift, while Andy becomes more and more upset, agitated and embarrassed. Finally, Andy sends Opie to his room to think about his lack of generosity.

 

At this point, Aunt Bee intercedes and asks Andy to think about what he’s saying. Is he really trying to help Opie? Or is he more embarrassed because of what people might think of him as the town’s Sheriff? Convicted that he’s overreacted, Andy calls Opie downstairs and says that if he wants to buy Charlotte a toy, take her to a movie, or spend it all on popcorn, that’s ok. Opie then tells Andy something he never considered. “I was saving to buy her a coat.” “A coat?” Andy asks. “Yeah,” Opie continues, “her family doesn’t have a lot of money, and her coat is kinda worn out.” Andy’s mouth drops. “But Opie, you never told me what the money was for.” “You never asked,” Opie responded.

 

Our reading today speaks to Jesus’ condemnation of the improper judgment of others. It begins with this simple warning: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (vv. 1-6). In his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine says the word “judge…primarily denotes to separate, to select, to choose, hence to determine, and so, to judge or to pronounce judgment.”

 

Jesus is saying that we ought not to assume the office of a judge, in the sense of the Lord’s judgment. Jesus is condemning harsh, censorious judgment. We are not to be hypercritical or hypocritical. As Max Lucado wrote, “It’s one thing to have an opinion. It’s quite another to pass a verdict. It’s one thing to have a conviction; it’s another to convict the person.”

 

Jesus uses a humorous illustration of someone who has a log in their eye trying to remove a shaving from someone else’s eye. Ridiculous. Absurd. And wrong. First, remove the glaring fault from your life before you try to correct others for their minor flaws. A true word to the wise in a day when we confused our position with our calling. We should use good judgement, but we are wholly unqualified to be judges. As I often say, “That’s above our pay-grade.”