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Only God Will Judge
John TiltonMark 6:1-3
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
It’s very insightful and interesting how we see that because Jesus was teaching and performing miracles in his hometown; that it resulted in His being judged negatively where people took offense. Although they marveled at what He was doing, they could not applaud and appreciate the Jesus at hand since they were judging Him in terms of the Jesus they knew prior as a young boy, son of Mary. Thus, their judging Jesus on His past rather then the evidence of who He had become prevented them from appreciating the providential and miraculous things that were taking place before their eyes. I would say that it also closed their ears from hearing the word of God, all because of a judgmental attitude and character.
Don’t we often do the same with people we’ve known personally over a period of time, or people we know through media, whereby we judge them prematurely rather then allowing their current words and actions to example who they currently are? Or do we sometimes pre-judge by what we’ve heard through others, rumors and gossip? Do we even pre-judge by appearance? Pre-judging will often put up a wall that enables us to see, hear and receive through others. Pre-judging also examples our pride and selfishness in the way of placing ourselves above others as if we are better. Only God ultimately will pass judgment on each of us some day. I best prepare myself that I can stand before my Lord Jesus Christ and be confident of who I am in Christ and what I’ve done in my life to serve Him in call, character and obedience.
Dear Lord, please continue to invest humility and grace in me with an open heart and mind that will see the best in people. Enable me to be ready to receive through good eyes and good ears, and not to pre-judge anyone based on second-hand words or outward appearance. May they see you in me as they approach.
