Read and reflect on the following passage from Matthew 7:3-5...
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
It is during this season of Lent that we turn inwards to examine ourselves just as Jesus did during his forty days in the desert. When we take the time to look at ourselves and see our own flaws, we come to realize that often we notice others’ imperfections and mistakes but overlook our own. It is important to remember that we should not judge others for what they do because we... just like them and the rest of the world... are not without sin and in need of a Savior. In this passage, Jesus emphasized that in order to see clearly enough to remove the speck in our brother or sister’s eye we must first remove the plank from our own. And in doing so, our distorted and judgmental view becomes clearer, allowing us to see the forgiveness and grace that abounds through God’s love.
Do you typically judge others? If so, what criteria do you use? What is your judgment based on?
When you look inwardly at yourself, what “planks” need to be removed?
Jesus forgives our flaws with love and compassion. How can you, in your everyday life, follow his example?
Spend some quiet time with God in prayer.
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