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In Luke 6:37 Jesus is cautioning us against judging and condemning. We have to be able to examine a tree, and know whether it will produce good fruit or bad fruit. If we could not do this we could never write a reference. We have to very wise regarding the practical implications of these verses. And of course, when it comes to writing references, we must be honest.

I am told that some employers virtually ignore references that come from ministers and pastors because they will be too positive and not sufficiently objective. I have said to people who have asked for a reference, “Now, I am prepared to write a reference, but what I write may not get you a job!” I want to be a good tree, because, bad trees cannot bear good fruit! What is inside will come out.

It is like having a glass of water, knocked. If the water in the glass is clean and pure then that is what will spill over when knocked. But if it is a glass of dirty and mucky water that is what will spill out when it is knocked. Whatever is in you will come out, and be certain about this – you will be confronted by many knocks. What spills out of your mouth and from your life when you are knocked?

Verse 38. Having spoken about forgiving, Jesus now speaks about giving. Love gives. Jesus uses the illustration of a farmer and his cart returning from the fields. The sheaves are pressed down, and shaken together as the farmer tried to get the whole harvest onto his cart – but there is so much, it is running over. That is how God wants to give and how He wants to bless us.

Again note the order. Forgive, then give! SOW first. Whatever it is you need SOW first! This applies to every area of life - love - care - smiles - money! God takes the measure we use to give to us! Let me put it in very practical terms. Imagine that God wants to bless you ten times what you have sown. If you have sown in £10 notes that is the ladle He will use to reward you. If you have sown in £50 notes that will be the ladle He will pick up to reward you. Now, I am not into ‘prosperity’ teaching, but that is just what Jesus teaches here. If you need love, sow love. If you need people to smile, smile at them first. If you need money, sow money. I did say ‘need’ rather than want!

You can almost imagine these disciples sitting there listening in blind unbelief - so Jesus tells a parable. Can you imagine two blind men? One leading the other and they are trying to cross a busy road. Look, if you are my disciples have your eyes open. Know where you are going, if you are going to lead others – and know what is going on!

Jesus saw the leadership of the church of the day - spiritually blind - leading people astray. Leaders have to have their eyes opened. Leaders have to be able to see further along the road then others. Leading positively - setting the pace - showing the example for others to follow.

There is a brief note of humour as Jesus commentson a man with a 2 by 4 beam in his eye and he is not aware of it, but he is determined to deal with the tiny speck of dust in someone else’s life. Funny? Well, there is a lot more of that around than some may think!

Verses 46 to 49. Imagine calling Jesus, LORD, and not doing what HE says. Words are important, but it has got to be more than words. When Jesus commands these men, He expects that to be done. They learned. Normally, Jesus does not come Himself and ask us to do something. HE sends someone else. O, if Jesus came to me Himself that would be so different! His practice is to send a pastor, or elder, or teacher, or prophet. It is then that sometimes one can witness the rebel spirit rise.

Jesus goes on to speak about foundations. I have taught this in schools and it is so vitally important. Jesus speaks about two men and two houses. They look alike. You couldn’t tell which is which. Jesus says, I will show you who is who. Jesus was brought up in the building trade in Nazareth and He knew what he was talking about.

One man is building a house - digging down deep – he kept on digging - until he came to the rock. It is COSTLY to EXCAVATE, in time and money, but are we are going to build something which is going to last and ride out the storms? The second man just throws up a house, with no adequate foundations.

These houses are built on the same site. They look alike, until a crisis arises. There is a flood – a mighty storm and rain beat down upon these houses. One stood and the other collapsed.

When you are digging, there may not be much to show for your work for a time and yes, there are higher costs initially.

There was an immense excavation work going on at what was to become the NASA launch pad. Someone asked, “Where are you going? We are going to the moon! Is that not the wrong direction! No.”

Remove everything which separates you from the rock – all the rubbish – the soft sand – everything that wastes our time, and may cause our life to be unstable. It is a wise man who digs deep and pays attention to what Jesus Christ says and teaches. Are you WISE or FOOLISH? It is NOT the winds that blow people over. It is NOT the pressures that make people disappear from service in the Kingdom of God. It is the lack of foundations.

Be committed to the Christ of The Bible.That may appear a strange thing to say, but we meet people who have their own idea of Jesus. That is not good enough. Be committed to the JESUS of the Bible.

Do what He says, and Jesus will regard you as a wise man. When the storm and conflicts come you will then be able to stand, and what may spill from your life will be faithfulness and grace and strength and love – and perhaps a lot lot more.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (October 5, 2010)