Sermon on the Mount. Speck and Log.

Matthew 7.1-6

“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  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?  Or how can you say to a brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye,’ where there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.  Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

1 cor. 5:9-13

jn. 5:22, 27; 9:39; acts 10:42; 17:31;

Judge.

Are there really different levels of forgiveness?  It seems weird to me that Jesus would suggest a measurement of forgiveness. I think his point is not that judgment will be measured out, but that we are not called to judge others.  At the center of the universe is a throne, and sitting on that throne is God himself, not us.  That is a truth, that when it gets muddy we put ourselves onto the judgment seat.  We then find ourselves trying to rectify all things to us.  There is something that seems altogether backwards about that when clearly stated; but how do we live?  It is in that place judgment occurs, and the effects of judging are clearly laid out in this passage. How are judgment and forgiveness linked?

Speck and Log.

What a great visual to use when describing the folly in allowing ourselves to judge and fix a brother.  This section does not disallow the rebuke and redirection of those going off the path of Christ.  What it does, is require us to be in a place of unobstructed vision before doing so.  How do we make sure the log is gone?  Once we have properly prepared our heart and mind for the assistance of a brother, we are called to help remove the speck.  In fact, a speck is really hard to get out yourself.  A log can easily be removed.  The obstruction is so large and undeniable, and the removal so painless, the task just needs to be done.  But to remove a speck from someone else’s eye is far more precise, and requires a whole new level of care.  How can we lovingly and respectfully remove a speck from a brother’s eye?

Dogs and Pigs.

This little tag on is a bit of a mystery to me.  I don’t claim to understand its meaning in full. One possible application of this analogy is once we have removed the log, and are ready to remove a speck, do not attempt to do so to one who is not pursuing holiness.  The effort and attention will fall on deaf ears, and may be responded with harm and malice.  I am quite sure an in-depth study of this scripture would yield a far more insightful commentary.