This parable offers worthy advice even when taken literally. Of course, most of us would have no trouble following this advice in a literal situation.Thinking literally we identify the parable's "surprise" easily. Someone moving through their day with a plank extending from their eye defies our concepts of normal pain tolerance, physics, and even social safety. A basketball player with a small cut over the eye has to leave the court until the bleeding stops. We certainly wouldn't allow a player on the court with a plank swinging around them every time they turned their head.
But Jesus prioritizes the individual's responsibility to improve themselves over their desire to improve their neighbor. He discourages us from raising an army of one-eyed speck removal agents. Rather, he encourages us to examine and improve our own selves for the benefit of the community. We neither judge nor condemn. Instead we give liberally. And, we train under our Master Teacher in order to become a leader by example.
Lenten self-examination opens the door to personal healing and preparation for leading. The remaining universal question: "Why do we find it so easy to ignore the planks in our own eyes?"
1 comment:
Azalee Tatum responding to March 19text Luke 6:37-42. "Taking the plank out of your eye" has not only ministered to me over the years but is humorous to think on literally. I highlighted the words "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." I realize by learning not judge others and letting Jesus mold and make them after his will, the measure of my burdens has been lifted and Jesus has given me a sweeter peace. I read the NIV notes on verse 40 - make sure you are following the right teachers and leaders, because you will go no farther than they do. Look for leaders who will show you more about faith and whose guidance you can trust. Also in 1 John 4:1 we are to test the spirits. We recognize the Spirit of God by the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is from God. I read the NIV note on verse 42 about hypocrites. A hypocrite is a person who puts on religious behavior inorder to gain attention, approval, acceptance, or admiration. A person who tries to do right but often fails is not a hypocrite. We are not to criticize others but exercise patience and compassion toward them. May God bless us as we draw closer to him through his love.
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