The relationships in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ has two dimensions – the vertical with God and the horizontal with other brethren! Today’s reading deals with these two important areas of a disciple’s life – how he relates with other people (Vs.37–42) and how he relates with Jesus Christ (Vs. 46-49). In the middle of these two portions is outlined how a discipled life can be distinguished!

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People often become critical when it comes to pointing out the fault of others. Jesus teaches us, how His disciples should handle such matters. There is no one who is perfect. However, the Pharisees of those days placed themselves above all others, since they thought their knowledge of the Law makes them perfect and gives them the right standing with God!   Therefore, they assumed themselves qualified to reprimand anyone else!! Even though we live in a different cultural setting, people of similar nature are very much prevalent among us! So Jesus taught these foundational life lessons to His disciples, which are equally applicable to people of all times.

 

Jesus envisions every believer who abides in Him as a fruit-bearing tree. He taught us beyond any doubt that unless a person stays in constant communion with Christ, He cannot bear any fruit!  John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  Here Jesus talks about an unbroken relationship with Him – once you become His disciple, it is a lifelong relationship—like the trunk supplies the sap to the branch, He will supply His divine presence into us.

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As a disciple practices the principles outlined in these verses, it will ultimately become evident in his life— a visible mark in his life like a fruit produced by a tree. As we know that a tree takes its course of time to produce a fruit, the character of a true disciple also needs time to mature out and be visible.

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·       Principle -1: Do not judge or condemn, but pardon

Luke 6:37- “Do not judge ………  and do not condemn; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” We need the blanket of love to cover our weak brother/sister, so he/she will not be publicly reprimanded, but privately and lovingly corrected (Matt.18:15)

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·       Principle-2: Practice giving

We should not be possessive of our possessions, rather be willing to share it graciously. Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you.”  Jesus taught us that it is better to give than to receive.

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·       Principle -3: Be enlightened to lead

Be a leader – but ensure that you see. Luke 6:39 says that a blind man cannot lead another blind man – Understand your status; come to Jesus to be healed of spiritual blindness and be enlightened to lead others!

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·       Principle – 4: Be a student to become a teacher

Luke 6:40- Pupil vs teacher - Be a pupil at His feet to learn from the great Teacher so that you can teach others! Jesus said in Matt.11:29 to come to Him and take His yoke and learn from Him.

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·       Principle – 5 : Correct yourself before correcting others

Luke 6:41-42: The speck vs log: Look into yourself before looking into others! Removing the speck in another man’s eye will be an easy task if your eye is free from the log in it!! How ironical it will be to attempt to highlight someone’s small mistake, when a bigger problem is prevalent in our own life!

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What is the way to ensure this level?: Be founded in Christ (Vs 46 – 49).

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Thought for the Day: The life of one who builds his life upon the teaching of Jesus is like a house built on the rock – problems of life hit that house, yet it stands!

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