We’re continuing our journey with Jesus and His disciples in Luke’s gospel. Today, we’ll finish our discussion of Luke 6 by looking at the second half of Luke 6:17-49. There we read:

[Jesus said,] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”

He also told them a parable: “Someone who is blind cannot lead another who is blind, can he? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while you yourself don’t see the beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from brambles.The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you?

“Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice—I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!”

— Luke 6:37-49

In this second half, we’ll see that Jesus continues to talk about life in the Kingdom. Not only are we to go the extra mile toward people, but we are to be careful we evaluate and judge people and circumstances.

Living in the Kingdom (Part 2)

Verse 37 (along with Matthew’s account in Matthew 7:1) is one of the most often mis-quoted and misundertood verses in the Bible. It’s often objected, based on this verse, that Christians can’t make any moral judgments. But this is not the intent of the passage at all. If you recall, verse 36 reads, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Verse 37 is an explanation of what that looks like when dealing with others.

What does it mean to be merciful in this context? It means we refrain from judging motives and intents of the heart. It means that now is the time of grace, redemption, and restoration. Judgment will come later for those who refuse God’s offer of grace and salvation. If we look at the next verses we see the real point of verse 37. The second half of verse 38 reads, “For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Now, does this passage mean that we overlook sin, especially in the Body of Christ? Absolutely not. The goal, however, is the restoration of the offender. And what did Paul say about that?

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

— Galatians 6:1–2

Notice how the brother who is “caught in any transgression” is to be restored: in a spirit of gentleness. The next sentence is often misinterpreted. When we read, “Lest you too be tempted,” we assume Paul is referring to the same sin that the “brother” was ensnared in. But that’s not necessarily the case. The bigger temptation here is to feel superior to my brother. What’s the solution to that? The implication is that walking in a spirit of gentleness will curb that tendency.

What’s the point of the parable in verses 39-42? Simply this: Both of the brothers (the one with the speck and the one with the log) are blind. One is not “more blind” than the other. If I think I am less blind than you (that feeling of superiority), then I am apt to try to “lead” you. My blindness will lead us both astray. Again, Jesus is not proclaiming a “judgment free zone,” in the sense of overlooking sin. He is, however, talking about how we approach sin. And we are first to examine our own heart and motives when dealing with an errant brother or sister.

Jesus also tells us in verses 43-46 that the attitude we display in relation to people comes from the condition of the heart. The implication here is a tough one. The question must be asked, “Can a Christian, who has been saved and redeemed, who has encountered the Savior, be critical and condemning of others?” It would be tempting to say “no.” But only God knows the heart, and the Lord knows who is His. But, the question does deserve some serious consideration. Over and over in the New Testament we see that salvation always leads to fruit.

Finally, Jesus tells us that those who hear these words (who let them sink into their heart and soul) and who puts them into practice will be like one who builds a house on a foundation made of rock. With such a foundation, there is no erosion (like in the sand), and the house stands strong against the storms of life.

As believers, we need to remember that we are on the same journey as fellow believers. We are all blind apart from the grace of the Holy Spirit. Superiority or haughtiness, condemnation or a critical spirit have no place in the life of a believer.