I grew up watching Judge Wapner who was the star of People’s Court. This successful program inspired Night Court which was a comedic perspective dealing with daily disputes. Unfortunately, there are individuals who crave positions of power today, seeking to be in control. Although some of these personalities don’t realize it, they love playing the role of Judge and jury.
He went out the second day and saw two Hebrew men quarreling and fighting; and he said to the unjust aggressor, Why are you striking your comrade? 14 And the man said, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and thought, Surely this thing is known, Exodus 2:13-14.
As a bystander watching two men arguing and fighting, Moses felt compelled to do something. Moses’ response to the situation above wasn’t received well. Based upon one of the two men in this dispute, Moses was seeking to be the judge and jury of the Hebrews. Raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses thought he was simply doing his civic duty to help others in need.
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam [d]of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye, Matthew 7:1-5.
Judging others was also an issue in the first century. Jesus spends the final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount addressing anyone who believes that they should be the judge and jury of others. Rather than focus on the flaws and weaknesses of others, Jesus taught early followers to take care of your own life before trying to correct other people. Then and only then will other people begin to take your comments seriously, Philippians 2:1-4.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 