Unconventional Wisdom

Preachers often have three points. Luke seems to love fours (see vs. 20-22 and 24-26). Today’s reading begins with four commands: two negative (“Do not judge… Do not condemn”) and two positive (“Forgive … Give”), before developing their meaning in parables.

Jesus’ words about not judging are often quoted at Christians when they express disapproval of someone or their behavior, but Jesus isn’t talking about exercising discernment, or church discipline (Matt. 18:6-20), but rather about being critical in a way that puts the critic in a superior (and most likely hypocritical) position. The second prohibition, forbidding condemnation, confirms this, serving as a parallel saying in typical Hebrew literary fashion. Disciples must replace these negative stances with the forgiveness and self-giving that Christ himself personifies. Giving is never to be “just enough” but rather overflowing, like a sack whose contents have been compressed but still spill over. Engaging in such generous mercy is to imitate God himself (36). Then Jesus adds a sting in the tail: you’ll be judged by your own measurements when it comes to receiving mercy. In other words, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (31).

Three parables follow, highlighting the folly of living any other way. Blind leaders are perilous for blind followers. Don’t follow blind leaders who lack mercy: it ends in disaster. Students should listen to their teachers (if only!) and Jesus’ disciples should learn from him. Finally, he comically points out the absurdity of the optical plank-wearers trying to be speck-savers. In effect he’s saying, “Let’s get real.” We’re all flawed, foolish beings who sin and need forgiveness. What’s the point in pretending otherwise and standing on a “holier than thou” platform when there’s a better place to stand?

How many of the world’s problems would be solved if people lived by Christ’s teaching! Pray for nations, situations, even personal issues, where people refuse to forgive each other.