The Best Construction

Read Matthew 7:1-6 

Concluding His teaching on the spiritual life, Jesus transitions His teaching to talk about human relationships. How should we relate to our neighbors?

He begins by saying “Do not judge.” Judging people is His job, not ours. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him, we recall how He silenced those who judged her leaving Him alone as the Judge. This is how it should be.

In the parallel version of this teaching found in Luke, Jesus further admonishes us not to condemn but to forgive and to give generously to our neighbor. He promises that if we obey His instructions, we will not be judged or condemned but forgiven and not only given back, but will be given back the container filled to the full and heaped above its lip. In both Gospel accounts, Jesus then quotes a common Jewish proverb of the time; the measure you use will be used for you.

When is it proper to reprove our neighbor? The illustration of a small speck of wood, dust or grass that gets in our eye is helpful because you may need someone to take it out for you. Likewise, we may need help from others in identifying and helping us to give up or eliminate the small wrongs we seem to fall into. But why do we think we can point out the small wrongs of others without first removing our obvious faults? Jesus instructs to deal with these faults first. And then to give us some real perspective, Jesus contrasts the small irritating speck with a large construction beam. A beam would not just obstruct our view but would actually blind us. Once removed, we can then see the other’s speck with clarity.

Jesus also counsels us to not reprove those who live a worldly life. Like a wild coyote, they just go scavenging about, seeking satisfaction of their hunger. Or like a pig, they get angry and ignore you. You may find words of reproof precious, but the people in the world find them both irritating and useless.

In the end, erroneous reproof is bearing false witness against one’s neighbor. Luther comments on this Commandment by saying, “out of our fear and love of God, that we should not deceitfully belie, betray, slander nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.” I’m sure Jesus the carpenter agrees!

FOR REFLECTION:

• How can you keep yourself from criticizing/judging your neighbor and instead build them up?  

by Tim Tesch