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by Sandy Shaw
Before moving on in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, it is good to take a moment to consider what Jesus has to say regarding judgment in the account which Dr Luke gives us, and in Luke Chapter 6 verses 36,37, where we hear Jesus say, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”.
In this whole area of teaching we need what is in Luke as well as Matthew.
Remember how you received His mercy - the quality of that love - the joy which came through knowing that your sins were forgiven - that initial experience of the Holy Spirit.
That was what drove these men on during the early days of the Church, and this is what will inspire us.
Remember, and we need constant reminding - that is why He gives us bread and wine.
What was the look on Jesus face as He spoke these words, and what was the look on each disciple's face?
Be merciful. Do not judge. Jesus could almost sense how the disciples were reacting, as they were planning what they were going to say, and what they were going to do, to those who opposed them - criticised them - insulted them – and persecuted them.
It is as if He senses how they are preparing their defence.
Learn not to judge - learn not to condemn. Love doesn't point the finger. Love does not accuse. Love forgives. Forgive - if you want to be forgiven.
That does not mean we overlook sin, or sit silent when we should be speaking out, or when we should be challenging something which is wrong. Love does not react by criticising, nor by seeking revenge, nor by looking for the opportunity to retaliate.
This is a revolutionary way to live, and it NOT EASY. It is only after we have tasted the love and mercy and forgiveness of Jesus that we can really live in these ways.
Judge here means condemn - criticising - in the sense of writing someone off.
Judge does not mean examining people at every opportunity, but at the same time it does not mean we are to give up certain critical faculties.
We are to know the difference between right and wrong. We are to be aware of the difference between good and bad.
Take writing a reference for someone. We have to be honest and write with integrity. (Did you realise that many employers ignore references from ‘Ministers’ and Pastors, because normally they only say ‘nice things’ and are usually unwilling to spell out any weaknesses of the applicant or and character inadequacies?)
When we come to the bread and wine we are instructed to examine ourselves - not the person on our right or left.
Love gives and is generous. Give and it shall be given to you. Jesus takes the picture of a farmer and a cart at harvest time, unable to carry the bountiful produce.
The measure you use to give - will be the measure God will use to give back to you.
It is like a ladle or a spoon. If you use a big ladle to give that will be the one God will use to give back to you. When it comes to money what size of ladle are you going to use when you give? £5, £10, £20 ladles? Sow and you will reap.
People ask me about tithing – well – it is a biblical practice, and I have always taught it as a biblical guideline. We are not to be legalistic. As we saw in Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus Christ did not come to give us a new set of laws, but tithing is a good guideline, for the disciple of Jesus, remembering that we are always free to give more. Surely you would not want to give less. After all, Jesus Christ gave all for you and me on the Cross.
First you have to give. First you have to sow, and you will never outgive God.
This is a biblical principle which Jesus introduces early in the lives of these disciples.
If you want lettuces, you first sow lettuce seeds. If you want a smile, sow a smile when you go out. If you want love, then sow love, and be loving. If you need money, sow some, in the Bank of Heaven, at you local branch, where you worship every Sunday. It is all so very simple and uncomplicated.
These disciples are sitting there listening in almost blind unbelief, so Jesus tells them a parable, which is a story with a deep spiritual meaning.
Can you imagine two blind men - they both have white sticks - and one is trying to lead the other across a busy road? What is going to happen?
If you are going to be my disciples - if you are going to lead people - you must have your eyes open, and be aware and awake and alert.
Jesus saw the leaders of the day, and He discerned that they were blind - spiritually blind - leading people astray.
Leaders must be able to see further along the road than those who are being led.
A disciple is not above his teacher, but when you are fully trained you will be like your teacher.
Lesson 1. Jesus is teaching us what to expect as we serve and obey Him - and He shows us how we can be richly blessed.
Lesson 2. Jesus explains who will appear as we are blessed - enemies - and how to respond - by loving - by doing good - by being merciful.
Lesson 3. Jesus goes to spell out this quality of love in very practical terms.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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