This part of Jesus teaching from the Mount incorporates two short texts which at first seem quite different – one looking at how we judge one another and the other about asking and seeking God. What both of these texts have in common is that they talk about the importance of healthy balanced relationships – first one with another and secondly in terms of how we relate to our Father in heaven.
They raised a number of interesting questions for discussion including:
1. What are the possible reasons why we find it easy sometimes to judge others (either internally or out loud)?
2. If Jesus tells us not to judge then how does this work in a culture where we have judges who sit in courts to pass judgements? What about parents who need to make judgements for their children?
3. The bible also tells us it’s OK to correct one another (2 Tim 4:2) – how do we do this without judging?
4. What sometimes stops us from asking things of God?
5. What does it really mean to ‘seek’ after God
6. In what other NT passages do we see similar relational themes of judging, asking and seeking that we can link to Jesus teaching here?
In our discussions we were caught up eventually by Jesus Great Commandment which seemed to sum up many of the connecting points of our responses to these questions – in effect – Love really is the answer:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Matt 22:37-39
Scott
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