SUNDAY: March 21, 2021 Lent 5 -Matthew 7: 1-5
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 your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when 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. – Matthew 7:1-5
Examine yourself before you judge others. Are you able to easily list the sins of your spouse or members of the church? Do you consider yourself blameless and an innocent victim? Jesus exhorts us to take a hard look at our role and our attitude to see where we have sinned before we judge others.
Look at your unwillingness to forgive others. Consider your unwillingness to be reconciled. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” You can’t. The log in your eye will obscure your vision to the point that you will judge others hypocritically. You will certainly think that you are justified, but you will be an unjust judge in God’s eyes. Your focus on the sins of others will blind you to your own sins.
So be slow to judge the sins of others. Examine your own sins first. You may find that you need to approach someone and talk to them about their sin. Then again, you may find that you are the one who needs to ask for forgiveness. If so, take comfort, for the Lord’s forgiveness flows freely and without limit. “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2: 1b-2). Blessings to you in Christ Jesus, today and every day!
Comfort Thy people, O Lord, and deliver us from the evil captivity of sin, that what we sow here in tears, we may reap in joy through Thy bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. [2]
Almighty God, You alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant Your people grace to love what You command and desire what You promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [3]
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]
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[1] The
Crucifixion Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts copyright © WELS permission granted
for personal and congregational use
[2]
Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood copyright © 2005
[3]Collect
for the 5th Sunday in Lent, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[4]
Collect for Lent 5, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis
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