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."
This is really such wonderful teaching. I imagine we could all apply this at some point every single day. Before thinking of what someone else has done which has gotten in my way, delayed me , or upset my plan, I must think about what I myself could have done differently to avoid the outcome. Another good habit to begin practicing!
Holy Lord, thank-you for this real-life reminder to recognize my own fault(s) before looking to blame others. Thank-you Jesus, for putting this lesson into words. Amen
Becky, transforming
Friday, March 22nd, 2024
Matthew 7:3-5
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.
Again here comes another version of the golden rule, treat others the same way I want them to treat me. We learned this as children, but do we practice it as adults. I need to focus less on…
Matthew 7:3-5
The contrast between the speck and the plank is a very effective rhetorical flourish. If I am of a mind to complain about or to someone about some minor thing without considering the much bigger annoyance I am capable of causing, all I am doing is aggravating the problem. Taking that step back, that deep breath to figure out how to constructively move through conflict is not my strong suit, but one that Jesus alls me to practice and cultivate.
Prayer - Jesus, divine Teacher and Guide, I am so familiar with Your lessons, yet so often fail to apply them to my own life. Help to to assure I have removed all planks from my eyes before…
Matthew 7:3-5
This passage reminds me of what I wrote yesterday. When I am quick to judge someone, I am sure now that the other person may be doing the same thing about me. Because I’ve learned to be quiet about my thoughts, hopefully I will be judged in a positive way.
Prayer: Gracious God, The lessons this week help us to look at our own actions and try to improve. Amen