Walking the New Way
Opening Prayer
Lord, I am often so critical of others’ failings, yet so blind to my own. Help me to examine my own.
Read LUKE 6:37-42
[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [39] He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? [40] The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. [41] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [42] How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What imagery does Jesus use? What does it mean?The hard and challenging words of Jesus which were considered yesterday continue today in this passage. Jesus is clear that the life of the disciple should be marked by four key values. There should be no judgment and no condemnation (37); instead there must be a willingness to forgive (37) and a readiness to give freely and generously (38).These demands are radical, life-changing and far removed from the world in which we live. To show the depth of the transformation required, Jesus gives three brief illustrations. First, the blind cannot lead the blind (39). We need the light of Jesus to illuminate the path in front of us. Second, the students must learn before they can become teachers of others (40). We need to model ourselves on Jesus, our teacher in the ways of the kingdom. Third, there has to be a real self-awareness, a willingness to recognize our own weaknesses before those of others and to discover the transforming power of the Spirit in our own lives (41,42). Jesus’ way may sound difficult, yet as we walk with him we will show the power of the coming kingdom and discover the faithfulness and generosity of God the Father.
Apply
Speak to God about any situation in which you are seeing another person’s wrong and may need to see your own.
Closing prayer
Lord, capture the hearts of your people. Awaken us to the love of our Bridegroom.
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