This week, as we continue in our series in Luke, we have been reflecting on Jesus’ teaching from Luke 6:27-42. Today, we will consider what it means to deal with the plank in your own eye before, and so one is able, to deal with the speck in another’s eye.
‘“He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. “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, ‘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.”’ (Luke 6:39-42)
Lesson: Jesus wants to begin with me and my sin - the ‘Planks’ in my eyes - so that I have healthy sight to help others with their failures - the ‘specks’ in their eyes.
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It’s obviously true that most of us see more faults in and criticise those around us more readily than we focus on our own shortcomings. This ’Speck and plank’ principle is vital for all of us to learn if we are to have healthy relationships and a life that’s not plagued by bitterness and self-righteousness.
Can the blind lead the blind
I believe that there is a link between what Jesus says about the blind leading the blind, becoming like our teacher, and this speck and plank teaching. Obviously, the inference in this section is that if the blind lead the blind they will have an accident. Jesus is guiding us to ask ourselves: ‘how do I learn to 'see clearly' so that we can have a healthy life?’ The answer is that we learn to see clearly by learning from our teacher - from Jesus - and becoming like Him.
Specks and planks
The proceeding teaching on the speck and plank principle is simply, I believe, a reiteration and is illustrative of getting healthy sight by learning from Jesus; we are to allow Jesus, through His Word, to reveal the planks in our eyes - our sin. As we learn from Jesus, we will gain healthy vision on how to live so that, in turn, we can help others to improve their vision as we help them to see and deal with their sin.
The principle is that we are to be more aware and more sorrowful and repentant of our own sin than we are aware and critical of others in their sin. However, as we are humbled by and deal with the ‘planks’ in our eyes, we will have healthy vision so as to help others with the ’specks’ in their eyes - their sin.
Response
Jesus wants to begin with me and my sin - the ‘Planks’ in my eyes - so that I have healthy sight to help others with their failures - the ‘specks’ in their eyes.
Firstly, as we began our devotionals this week, we ask again, are we listening to our teacher so as to become like Him? As we listen to Him, are we allowing His Word to reveal the ‘planks’ in our eyes? Are we saying sorry to God? Are we repenting and seeking to obey?
Secondly, are we loving others by speaking lovingly of the ’Specks’ that we see in their eyes?
Finally, a really helpful lifestyle to develop, particularly if we lead in any way, is to ask for feedback from others because we all have blindspots. Many are reluctant and fearful to point out the specks in others eyes so if we are to see and remove our ‘planks’ and gain healthy sight, let’s enthusiastically ask for feedback.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Study and pray together
This week, as we continue in our series in Luke, we will be reflecting on Jesus’ teaching from Luke 6:27-42 where, in essence, Jesus is teaching us about how we are to love others in a Christ-like fashion.
Please read Luke 6:27-42
Which aspect of this text do you find most challenging and why?
V.31 is often called The Golden Rule. In what ways can you practically apply this in the various relationships in your life?
Specifically, this section says a lot about being generous. What does it teach about how we are to use our wealth?
SIV - How will the application of this text, and The Golden Rule, help others to 'see Jesus' through us?
SIV - In v.37, we are commanded not to judge. This is about condemning people as beyond God's grace. How will obedience to this teaching help us to bring people to Jesus?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ this week?
SIV - What does V.28 teach us about the importance of prayer in mission and how are we doing in this regard?
SIV - Let's now pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV.
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