Verse of the Day: Matthew 13:57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
Memory of the month: Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Today's reading: GENESIS 49-50 MATTHEW 13:31-58
Judgement And Sentence
Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and home".
People you grew up with think they know everything about you.
Why did Jesus say 'prophet'? Aside from all the theology involved, I believe Jesus was telling us a few things about controlling what goes on in our minds. This is another lesson on our own judging of ourselves and others.
A Texas musician wrote, "You're always seventeen in your hometown". For those of us who are not perfect, as Jesus was, this statement is for us. As long as there is one person who knew how you behaved in your teens, that is likely how they will remember you.
Behavior begets judgement. (Of course, it is not right--but it is fact.) But that is not where the human mind stops. We never forget. If we think someone's behavior lacking, what does that mean? It means we think we are above that behavior; we believe that behavior is not acceptable so we categorize the person with said behavior-we what? We put them in a 'darker', 'lower' place than ourselves. So we put them in the 'dungeon' of our minds. You may not think yours a dungeon, but...
There are many of us who 'got out of the projects'(not that many of us ever lived in a physical project but that we were someone's 'project'-it was their challenge to 'fix' us)
So, we 'rose' above it all? See-our language betrays our judgement so quickly. We 'rose' above what? So the folks who never 'rose' up to where we are are still below us?
This is not all word games. This is meant for us to see that Jesus wants us to stop all the judging and sentencing. We are not above anyone. We are simply and profoundly saved by His grace and by nothing we have done so judgement is His job just like the salvation is.
We cannot 'save' anyone-so, we cannot judge anyone-we must not sentence anyone to our lifetime of their memory in the dungeons of our minds. How healthy is that for us?
Set them free. Whatever you have held against someone for ages-for whatever reason-it is not worth the work it takes to carry it around. It is, however, worth the effort to open the doors of the prison of your mind and let them go free-check 'delete all judgements and sentences' and push that button.
They will never know it has happened-but you, Child of the living God-you will be freed up in God's freedom from all that weight.
So, if you judge, confess that you have sentenced and let it all go.
In the name of Christ, God has saved, forgiven, and written your name in His Book of life. It is a life of unconditional forgiveness. So, forgive and walk away-walk to Jesus.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me my judgement and sentencing of others. Teach me true unconditional love for others.
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