Compassion And Judgment
COMPASSION AND JUDGMENT
LUKE 6:30-38
The love Jesus describes is a love for others that does not depend on what they are or on their treatment of us.
Verses 30-35. In the interpretation of such passages certain principles are to be consistently observed. First, realize that the East speaks in poetry, with image and illustration woven into the text in pictures rather than concepts. The West is logical, seeking abstract expression.
Matthew’s parallel passage bids the Christian give the coat also to one who demands a cloak, to turn the other cheek to the smiter, to go the second mile. The fact that two of these expressions have been usefully absorbed into Western speech shows how truly they describe Christ-like gentleness and disarming meekness. And, of course, the true meaning is here. The Christian is not to be stripped bare by a cynical and greedy world, is not expected to double his contribution to income tax, while the Lord himself is illustration of what he meant by “turning the other cheek” (John 18:22-23).
The whole drift and purport of this teaching is selfless generosity, utter self-control under persecution, absolute compassion and Christ-like love. It is completely daunting. Secondly, remember that Scripture must be balanced by Scripture. The Christian who strips himself of necessary resources in spectacular or emotional giving may be falling short in other bounden obligations, in providing, for example, for his own family, a theme on which Paul has a stern word to say (1 Timothy 5:8; read also chapter 6 for a statement of Paul).
6:36-38. Similarly with judgment. The Lord judged the Pharisees (Matthew 23), and a function of judgment is committed to the church and to its leaders (1 Corinthians 5:2-5). But remember that the Lord was in a position to judge in a manner denied to men. He could pronounce that there were those who had sinned beyond possibility of repentance (Mark 3:23-29). No man dare assume such certainty. What the Lord condemns in 6:37 is the censorious attitude which forgets personal shortcomings just as grave as those condemned, a ludicrous self-righteousness which adopts a pose of condemnation without knowledge of the circumstances of another’s temptation or sin, and which sheds all love in criticism. It is the theme of love which he is continuing and developing.
Prayer Help us, holy Lord, to remember how far we ourselves fall short, and to be tender to the beaten, the desperate, and the defeated in life’s battle.