The district attorney said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” pointing his finger at the accused man, “this man, Tom Gleason, is charged with Robbery and Assault with intent to do bodily harm. We will prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he is guilty as charged…”
I sat in the back row of the jury box and was trying to listen intently to what the DA was saying. The defense attorney had already told us that his client was a victim of circumstances and we needed to look at ALL the evidence before deciding. Now everything he had said seemed to be refuted by the sharp dressed lawyer pacing before us.
I had been called to jury duty three weeks before when an official looking letter arrived at the house. I was summoned to be available for this week in June. Once I had arrived at the courthouse and was sworn in, I never suspected that I would actually be impaneled on a jury but here I was looking at the accused man, thinking, “How am I ever going to be impartial in judgement of a man who is accused of doing things I had already done myself?” True enough, I had never been arrested for the crimes but it did not mean I had not done them. What would qualify me to judge this guy?
The DA put his case on throughout the first day. Witness after witness ended their testimony by pointing a finger at the accused and stating clearly that he was the man who perpetrated the crime. The defense attorney seemed to do very little to rebuke any of the accumulating evidence against his client. Even I was starting to be convince that this guy was guilty. Maybe the DA had good reason to look so smug as he rested his case.
The next day it was the defenses’ turn. This time we heard testimony that the defendant was just a good man in a bad situation. Even if it was true he was near the scene of the crime when it occurred he had not done it, clearly it was a case of mistaken identity. A friend stated that he was with the man at that time and assured us he didn’t do it. A relative said she was on the phone with him at the time the crime was committed. Character witnesses that stated what an upstanding family man Tom Gleason was. I could feel that my confidence in his guilt being eroded. And as the lawyers made their summations I was not sure what I was going to do.
Jesus said this, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7: 1-3)
How often am I guilty of this? I would say it is so often that I am embarrassed to admit it. How many times have I convicted someone of an offense without any evidence or even seeking an explanation? Again, the answer is, too often. My problem is, how do I practically go about changing this attitude? Jesus answer comes in the next verse.
He compliments verses 1-3 in Chapter 7 of Matthew by saying, “You hypocrite. First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7: 8) Simple but effective. Maybe if I stop for just an instant, remember who I am, a guilty sinner. Stop and give the Holy Spirit the time to speak instead of me. The log would fall away and I could see the person standing in front of me more clearly. I could be humbled and helpful not judge and jury.
It really comes down to love. Stated best by the apostle Paul, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-5) If we are not envious, boastful, or proud. When we are not dishonoring others, seeking to please ourselves or easily angered. When we keep no scoreboard of wrong doing. Then we might find we have nothing to judge others about. Then maybe we will listen more and speak less.
I did sit in judgement on that jury years ago. The other jurors opinions of the man’s guilt convinced me. But as I sat looking at him while the judge pronounced his sentence, I was the one who felt guilty. I am glad I have never had to do that again. But am ashamed to admit I have sat in judgement of others in my everyday life way too often. Today it is my prayer to have the ‘love words’ from First Corinthians in my heart and mind. To listen before I speak. And to judge not lest I be judged. It is also my prayer for this world of conflicting views and for you.
Blessings John
9/8/17
Judge not.. love a lot..
