Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Wednesday’s Devotion: We May Not Know What We Think We Know

John 7:24 (CEB) Don’t judge according to appearances. Judge with right judgment.”

When Jesus spoke these words it was in his own defense.  He was being attacked by Jewish leaders for healing a man on the Sabbath. People were saying he had a demon. I guess there are times in each of our lives when we are judged unfairly by someone else. It hurts when we find out about it.  Yet that doesn’t always keep us from judging others.  As Joe and I walked out to the concourse last Sunday we passed a series of statues that always impress me.  They are of figures carved from great blocks of rough gray stone. The sculptor then polished the stone on only parts of them; the hands and faces, arms or legs of the men and women. The polished parts were smooth and ebony black.  When I saw them I thought about the above scripture.  On the outside we might only see something plain and apparently of not much worth – but when we look deeper or put some effort into encouraging someone we may find something very different.  Jesus knows what it’s liked to be judged and he says the first (those who think they are the better people) shall be last. 

Creator God, help us to look deeper than outward appearances or economic circumstances or language or orientation when we encounter others.  Instead let us see the precious person you created and when we look down on them may it be to offer a helping hand.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Paige

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