Judging Correctly

Psalm 18:1-20 • Psalm 18:21-50
Job 8:1-10, 20-22 • Acts 10:17-33 • John 7:14-36

Jesus says in today’s Gospel Lesson to “stop judging by mere appearances, but to judge correctly.” In this specific instance, the Pharisees have twisted the Law of Moses against Jesus to chastise him for healing a man on the Sabbath! Jesus wants the Pharisees to be able to see their biases against him and against true justice, but his words are offensive to them and they attempt to capture him.

In our New Testament reading, Peter is told by God in a different way to stop judging by appearances—that he should not treat anyone as if they are impure or unclean. Previous to this revelation, he and others treated people differently based on whether they were Jews or Gentiles. Now, the Spirit has revealed to him that God does not show favoritism. 

A negative example of this type of judgement comes from our Old Testament reading. Bildad judges by Job’s appearance by telling Job that he deserves his punishment because “surely God does not reject one who is blameless.” Rather than extending condolences and support to a hurting friend, Bildad not only judges Job, but judges his children and says they died in a windstorm because they were sinful. This blame game is no help to Job, and he is forced to carry his burdens alone, confused and misunderstood.

All of these instances are examples that human judgement is error-prone. It is better that we don’t treat anyone as unworthy, and to examine our own hearts before we form an opinion.

Written by Haley Hixson

You can find Haley at the 10:00 Practicing Presence group and 11:00 worship service. She is also a participant in St Paul’s young adult actives—come eat with us after church or join our book club!