I LOVED these chapters…I’ve actually been away from home and I left my Bible in my car before I got on the plane like a dummy and so I wasn’t in the Word for two days…maybe a pastor isn’t supposed to admit that, but I will…anyway, I stopped by my parents for a quick visit and so I have a Bible now and man did I miss it, so I’m sure these chapters would be good no matter what, but they fill extra good having not read for a couple days. And yes I know there is a Bible on my phone or computer…but when it comes to the Bible I just struggle reading unless it is the actual pages in hand.
Okay so to our text–
In Luke 5 & 6 there are two mentions of Jesus taking time to pray, one in Luke chapter 5 and one in Luke chapter 6,
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” -Luke 5:16
and
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12
I mention these because in context they show us times we should definitely spend much time in prayer…well the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, but these are definite times…
Luke 5 = Jesus is doing all kinds of ministry, He is serving everyone. He withdraws to pray for recovery. Even the greatest servants of our God must withdraw to live to serve another day.
Luke 6 = Jesus is about to make a very important decision in His ministry. When faced with a big decision we must spend much time in prayer, otherwise we can’t trust that decision!
Another point I want to mention from these chapters is to address one of my absolute LEAST favorite texts…is someone allowed to have a least favorite text?
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged.” -Luke 6:37a
This is not my lease favorite text because I want to judge everyone. It is my least favorite because it seems to be a favorite “pet” text of so many, and it is a favorite because it is used by preachers and millions of others SO WRONG! If it was understood properly it would not nearly be as popular, but I would like it a lot more 🙂
Here is how most read this…
“Jesus said, ‘Judge not,’ so you can’t say if I should or shouldn’t eat this entire batch of brownies.” (Or put in whatever particular action critique you want to).
That is why this text is popular because it is an immediate in your face text that someone can vomit up the moment his or her actions are criticized, called sin, etc..
But that is not what the text is talking about…
In the full text it reads,
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37
All three of those statements are related…
They are all related to “ETERNAL” consequences not ones immediate actions. We can make “judgement” on the actions of another.
How do I know? The very next section of scripture…
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite!” -Luke 6:41, 42a
Of course that doesn’t really prove my point, in fact it sounds like it proves the exact opposite…
Oh and by the way this “plank” in the eye text is also a “pet” text of people to say, “don’t judge my actions”
But they need to read the rest of it and we’ll see that the Bible is surely not addressing the outward “actions” of others in verse 37 nor is the plank in the eye, it is not saying never look at the outward actions of another and judge them…
“41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” -Luke 6:41, 42
I highlighted the point often left out so we wouldn’t miss it.
Notice the “First” “Then” transition of the text.
We are to judge our own actions first, this means don’t be in denial of our own issues. Address them so we “CAN SEE CLEARLY” in other words, “JUDGE” the actions of our brothers, not to condemn, remember the text above, “judge not, condemn not” but to help them remove the “speck” so they can grow.
It sounds to me like the Bible is saying I am to judge my own actions and make sure I am walking according to the will of Jesus and then I will be better able to help others reform their actions and walk according to the will of Jesus.
Which in our modern society people would say is being “judgmental” but really it is just being a Christian!
What say you? Do you agree or disagree?
Next Reading: Galatians 1-3 (and I do know I have some past readings to make-up…Don’t judge me 😉 )