Plank Eyed People

March 15

(Luke 6:39-42 NIV) “He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? {40} A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. {41} "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? {42} How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.””

(John 8:3-11 NIV) ““The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group {4} and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. {5} In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" {6} They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. {7} When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." {8} Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. {9} At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. {10} Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" {11} "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin.””

Before we try to deal with another’s sins, we must face the fact that we have a plank in our own eye. Jesus insists that we look in the mirror more than we look around. The Great Physician does miracles for those who confess their sickness, but He cannot help those who refuse to acknowledge their sin. The religious crowd was obsessed with the sins of others. Don’t be like them. When Jesus walked among us, He exuded the love of God. That’s why sinners often responded with genuine repentance. Christ is not prohibiting correction; He is just calling for more reflection. He wants us to stop seeing ourselves as God’s gift to morality. Jesus also knew that redeemed sinners are likely to go and share their grace stories with others. Forgiven sinners understand just how much they owe a Savior who would love them enough to die for their sin. Let's make sure we understand too. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day