‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged.’ It is frightening to think how often we break this commandment without noticing it, without being aware of it. In fact, we have grown accustomed to continually passing judgement on ‘everyone and everything’. And it might seem that, if we impose our judgement on no one, perhaps do not even say it aloud, then...
‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged.’ It is frightening to think how often we break this commandment without noticing it, without being aware of it. In fact, we have grown accustomed to continually passing judgement on ‘everyone and everything’. And it might seem that, if we impose our judgement on no one, perhaps do not even say it aloud, what is wrong with that? But no. When the Lord says ‘Do not judge’, He means that such an approach is absolutely unacceptable. Why? The answer lies in the complex, many-dimensional idea of the human person as a microcosm. We know no one in all the unique diversity of their relationships with other people and, above all, with God. Even when we think we know everything about someone, there are particular details we do not know that could turn the whole picture upside down.
From this understanding grows the sense of standing before God as the most unworthy of all people. Without the commandment ‘Do not judge’, this is impossible to understand. After all, it seems obvious that there are far more unworthy people. But this is how we must reason: there is simply something that speaks in their favour that I do not know. I do not even know everything about myself, although I know how little speaks in my defence and how much accuses me.
But we must not judge ourselves either. The commandment says ‘Do not judge’, not ‘Do not judge others’. This is infinitely difficult, because we have become so accustomed to doing it. At times, these judgements seem to be the structures on which our whole life rests. But the time will come when all the supporting structures will be removed.
6
6:37 Mat 7:1.
6:38 Into your bosom - Alluding to the mantles the Jews wore, into which a large quantity of corn might be received. With the same measure that ye mete with, it shall be measured to you again - Amazing goodness! So we are permitted even to carve forourselves! We ourselves are, as it were, to tell God how much mercy he shall show us! And can we be content with less than the very largest measure? Give then to man, what thou designest to receive of God.
6:39 He spake a parable - Our Lord sometimes used parables when he knew plain and open declarations would too much inflame the passions of his hearers. It is for this reason he uses this parable, Can the blind lead the blind? - Can the scribes teach this way, which they know not themselves? Will not they and their scholars perish together? Can they make their disciples any better than themselves? But as for those who will be my disciples, they shall be all taught of God; who will enable them to come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of their Master. Be not ye like their disciples, censuring others, and not amending yourselves. Mat 15:14.
6:40 Mat 10:24; Joh 15:20.
6:41 Mat 7:3.
6:46 And why call ye me Lord, Lord - What will fair professions avail, without a life answerable thereto? Mat 7:21.
6:47 Mat 7:24.