Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 6:27- 38 ; Matthew 7:1-6 "A TASTE OF THEOLOGICAL REASONING"
Day 79 – Luke 6
Text: Luke 6:27- 38 ; Matthew 7:1-6
A TASTE OF THEOLOGICAL REASONING
As we study the Gospels, we begin to appreciate that there is deep reasoning behind all the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, His teachings were indeed different and lofty. Nevertheless, He never taught without also explaining the reasons behind His teachings.
It is important that we remember this principle. It is even more important that we learn how to reason theologically. Then would we have a more enhanced understanding and appreciation of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Challenge yourself to reason out your faith in Christ. State your reasons why you must consider the challenge to be His Disciples. Do this exercise, and you will deepen your faith and your understanding of what it means to truly believe in Jesus as your Saviour, and own God as your Father in Heaven.
“JUDGE NOT, AND YOU SHALL NOT BE JUDGED;
CONDEMN NOT, AND YOU SHALL NOT BE CONDEMNED” Luke 6:37
Many stumble over this statement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some think that Jesus was teaching His Disciples to be “accommodating”. They suppose that Jesus taught His disciples to be blind to people’s faults.
This is not the meaning behind the word “judge” used in this context. The word “judge” is to be understood in the context of the next word Jesus used. He urged His Disciples not to “condemn”.
The word “judge” and the word “condemn” are to be read as complementary concepts. Jesus sought to teach His Disciples not to be “judgmental and condemnatory” in their attitudes to people.
This is a natural follow-through of what He had taught about loving enemies. It is so easy to be critical and judgmental of other people. It is not difficult to find weaknesses, flaws and even sins in people’s lives.
The challenge is to go beyond the weaknesses, faults and sins of people! The Lord taught the Disciples an important principle as to why they should be discerning but not judgmental and condemnatory in their attitudes.
They are to be mindful that by whatever measure they judge and condemn others, that same measure can be used against them. Are their faults in others? Are there flaws and weaknesses in them? We must remember that there are probably as many faults and weaknesses in us. If we are not prepared for people to judge and condemn us, then we must also remember that we should be kind and merciful to people.
“FORGIVE, AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN…” Luke 6:37
We are familiar with the doctrine of God’s forgiveness of our sins. We accept with great gratitude the wonderful Biblical doctrine of God’s grace to forgive us of ALL our sins!
How do we apply this doctrine of forgiveness to our fellow human beings? Jesus taught His Disciples how to forgive people. As we have been forgiven, so must we learn to forgive others. And as we practise forgiving others, so others too will forgive us for the many faults and sins found in our life!
A MOST INTERESTING EXPRESSION
We read a very interesting expression in these words,
“Give, and it will be given to you:
Good measure,
Pressed down,
Shaken together,
And running over will be put into your bosom…”
Luke 6:38
This is a beautiful description of a good and generous storekeeper at work. In the days of the Lord Jesus, measures are meted out quite differently. In modern days, things are measured very precisely. There are weighing machines that will give exact measures.
In the ancient days, if a person were to go and buy a basket of grain, he could get two possible responses.
1. The average shopkeeper could just fill the basket with grain and then the customer pays for his purchase.
2. The good shopkeeper would do more. He would do the following things:-
a) He would give good measure. That means that he would do what the first shopkeeper would do. He would fill the basket with grain.
b) The good shopkeeper would do something else. He would press the grain down. The moment he does this, he will find that he has to put more grain into the basket. When he presses down the grain, he will find that there is room for more grain to be poured into the basket.
c) The good shopkeeper will do a third thing. He will shake the basket. By doing this, the pressed down grain will make some more room in the basket. The good shopkeeper feels that he must give good measure and so he does all three things.
d) For good measure, he does the fourth thing. He puts in extra grain, till the basket is literally “running over” .
(Those who are old enough, will remember that there were such good shopkeepers who did just that in early Singapore. These were good and popular shopkeepers in the neighbourhood).
The Lord Jesus challenged His Disciples to practise forgiveness towards those who may hurt and harm them, even as they live for Him as Disciples. There will be those who are wicked and they will seek to harm. They must nevertheless seek to live nobly and courageously. Perchance, the Disciples will come across special people (comp. “good shopkeepers”) who will appreciate them. They will come and give wonderful and full support to them.