Misericordias Domini - Devotion in Exile

Misericordias Domini Daily Lectionary 
(different than the lectionary for the Divine Service on this day)

Exodus 32:15-35      Luke 6:39-49

Yesterday at the beginning of the devotion I mentioned that the reading from Luke should have gone further. Today's reading from Luke picks up in the middle. Here is the text upon which we will meditate, it is a portion of yesterday's and today's New Testament lesson:

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. 43 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Our text today contains a verse that is quoted very often – “judge not, lest ye be judged.” OK, that is actually not a verse in any translation of the Scripture. It is however, an oft-quoted MIS-translation of a verse in our text. But, that is how people like to quote it, for it suits their purpose. If someone comes and claims that something is a sin, they will reach for and misquote that part of our text, "Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Sexual relations outside of marriage is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Gossip is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Drunkenness is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Unwillingness to forgive or reconcile with someone is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Cheating on your taxes is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Doing 85 in a 70 zone is a sin... “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

Boy, isn’t it convenient how people can trot out that one misquote from our text to justify what Scripture clearly calls sin. But are those who misquote and drag these words of Jesus out of context correct? Those who scream the loudest about tolerance just want people to be tolerant of their behavior. They do not want anybody to call them to repentance. Nobody is to make the claim that God’s Word calling such things sin and calling sinners to repentance is correct. Instead they mis-quote Scripture, “Judge not, and you will not be judged,” and they continue, “live and let live.” What they mean is, “What you call sin, I do not believe is a sin.”

The words Jesus speaks, "Judge not, and you will not be judged,” are absolutely correct. You and I do not sit in judgement over anybody. When we have an attitude of judgementalism, or pointedly speak in a condemnatory many at specific sins and act as if we are somehow superior, then we will be held to the same standard.

However, we dare not take these words out of context. Let this also be clearly understood – the context of this verse is not just Luke 6, it is the entire counsel of God’s Word. Sin is indeed labeled as such. Those who continue in openly unrepentant SIN until their last day will indeed find themselves answerable to God on that day. They will not be condemned by us, but by God.

Therein lies the truth of God’s Word. Therein also lies the approach we are to take with all sin and all sinners. Sinners are to have their sins pointed out to them, in order that they may repent and bask in the forgiveness purchased for their sins and ours by God's own Son Himself, Jesus Christ.

Jesus clearly explains this in our text, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.”

When we confess our sins and trust solely in the forgiveness purchased by Christ to make us holy, we have done exactly this – we have removed the speck from our own eye. Gazing into the perfect mirror of God’s law, we are led to confess our own sinfulness, that is, to see the log that is in our own eye. That is why we come into God’s house, to gratefully hear the absolution and receive the Body and Blood of Christ – trusting in the work of Christ which purchased our forgiveness – trusting Christ’s work, the log is removed.

Calling to repentance is not the same as judging. It may appear to come across in that manner. We are to proclaim, without apology, God’s law – His perfect law – which does indeed identify, label, and call sin exactly what it is. Sin can eternally damn, if left to continue without repentance.

Calling sinners to repentance is not the same as standing in judgement over others.

First, I call myself to repentance. Each day, I look into the perfect mirror of God’s law. I see there my sinfulness, the log that is lodged deeply in my own eye. I am far from perfect. I am a poor, miserable, sinner. My sins distress me and drive me to my knees. I confess my sinfulness, knowing full well that I am the man. Christs perfect life was given as a sacrifice to pay for my sin.

My baptism united me to Christ’s death and raised me to a new life in Him.

The blood He shed to purchase my forgiveness is poured into my ear in a Word of absolution.

Forgiveness is placed into my mouth as I eat of Christ’s body and drink the very blood He shed for me for the forgiveness of sins.

The log is removed from my eye.

We are to live in repentance for the forgiveness of sin, in faith. To live in repentance is to believe and confess boldly that we are sinners who trusts not in ourself, but in the grace of God, earned by Christ and given in Word and Sacrament. God's own Son makes us holy and pleasing to God, for we are robed in Christ’s righteousness.

It is only then, filled with Christ, as He is at work in me, that we can begin to live as God would have us to live.

The very first call to repentance is aimed at ourselves, that we trust not in our own goodness or holiness, but in the works of Christ that He graciously desires to give to us. Freed from the condemnation of the law, filled with the Spirit of Christ, we can then fulfill the Law to love God and our neighbor as God has loved us.

It is then, and only then that we can call others to repentance. Only as we place our own reliance upon God, that we can call others to repentance.

When we have removed the log from our own eye, when we know our total reliance upon Christ, we can look at the speck in our brother’s eye and lead them to the perfect mirror of God’s Law. There, the Holy Spirit will show them the speck in their own eye.

When they see the speck, we point them to Christ. We do not scorn them! We do not deride them! We do not act superior! In fact, it is in humility, only in knowing our own shame and sinfulness that we point them to our joy and hope, Jesus Christ. It is He alone who gave His life to remove the speck from their eye, to cleanse them of their sin and make them holy. He will do this for them, even as He has done if for me and for you – in the Word of absolution and the meal of His body and blood.

Let us each live our own lives in God’s grace, and now, in joyful obedience to His Law. Let us rejoice in those marvelous gifts He has given by which we are made new, and holy, and righteous, in His sight. Let us make receiving these gifts the first priority in our lives. And then, let us lead others to know them as God’s gracious gifts to give them forgiveness, life and salvation. Amen.

Let us pray:   Almighty God, Your Word is truth. Keep us from abandoning pure doctrine, and preserve us from pride lest we fail to use Your truth to call a new generation to know You and love You – even as we remove the log from our own eye in repentance. Be with all the baptized, that we may live out fully the new life You have granted to us by water and the Word, and guide us to serve our neighbors in love, especially those in need. Amen