5th Sunday of Lent – Gospel Illustration – Judging why people are the way they are is a dangerous business.

1. Judging Others
Judging why people are the way they are is a
dangerous business.
Excerpts from Take a Closer Look, by Tom Norvell on February 21, 2010

2. By mere appearances, one might
make an assumption about a
couple that is far from accurate.
There's something about them that
might cause one to conclude that
their relationship has been brief
and riddled with trouble and strife
and dysfunction.
On closer examination one learns
that they have been happy together
in one form or another for
decades.
The smiles they exchange reveal that
they continue to be deeply in love
with each other.
By mere appearances one might
draw the conclusion from the
multiple tattoos and body
piercings on the young man's
body would indicate that he
delves into the world of darkness,
isolation and perhaps even
demonology.
On closer examination one would
learn that he is a devoted follower
of Jesus and that he is one of the
key leaders in the youth group of
your church.

3. By mere appearances, one might
incorrectly judge that the
expensive suits, high-powered
and high-priced car, and a well-
manicured lawn at his house, in a
gated community would indicate
selfishness, snobbery, and pride.
On closer examination one
discovers that he gives a
significant portion of his income
to his church, and teaches a Bible
Study Class.

4. By mere appearances, one might
assume that the man sitting down
the pew from you on Sunday is
coming primarily out of a sense
of duty and wants very little to do
with the church.
On closer examination, it is
discovered he was formerly a lay
leader in your church for many
years, but is now caring for a wife
who suffers from Alzheimer's and
has very little time to devote to
church.

5. In the Gospel of John we read the
story of a woman caught in
adultery (Jn. 8:1-11).
She has been brought to Jesus so
that He might judge her but He
doesn’t nor does he allow the
scribes or Pharisee’s to judge or
punish her.
The preceding four stories give
evidence as to why judging others
leads to errors, misperceptions
and gossip.
What are the reasons behind the
woman’s participation
in adultery?
The Gospel doesn’t tell us so they
remain unknown to us but not to
God.
Remember the story of Jacob’s 11th
son Joseph who was sold into
slavery by his brothers?
He was falsely accused of attempted
rape by the prominent and
influential wife of the captain of
Pharaoh’s guard.
All were certain of his guilt but God
knew he wasn’t guilty.

6. I am reminded of Mary’s pregnancy
before her marriage to Joseph,
imagine the talk around the water
well in Nazareth?
Imagine how she was judged by the
local villagers.
Do you suppose they called her a
harlot, or a prostitute.
Do you suppose they thought she
would go to heaven or hell?
Do you suppose they thought that
she would give birth to the
Messiah?
After Mary, Joseph and Jesus
returned to Nazareth did the
locals welcome him as the
Messiah or the son of a local
carpenter (Mk. 6:3).
Lk. 6:37 “Judge not, and you will
not be judged; condemn not, and
you will not be condemned;
forgive, and you will be forgiven;
Yes, judging others is a dangerous
business.
Only God can look into and have a
perfect view of the human heart
and intentions.