On this Monday of Holy Week, I am contemplating judgment. In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus instructs, “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.”
In John 8:1-11 we learn of a woman about to be stoned because she was caught in the act of adultery. The scribes and Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus so that they would have a charge to bring against him. If he showed compassion and forgiveness, he would disobey the law of Moses.
Instead Jesus said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” As they all left, one by one, Jesus didn’t condemn the woman. Instead, He exhorted her to “sin no more.”
How unlike Jesus I am! I unconsciously and consciously tear others down so that I can feel better about myself. “I wouldn’t ever do that,” or, “I’m shocked at your behavior” I whisper to myself. I try to use my self-superiority to hide my own faults and insecurities.
But this Holy Week, I’m going to concentrate on being more like Jesus; instead of judging others, I want to act out of love.
Words from the song GIVE ME YOUR EYES by Brandon Heath ring in my ears:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Please, give me your eyes.
Blessings,
Agatha