The conversation was not going well. No matter how Rick tried, he couldn’t convince Jesus to see things from his own point of view. The Lord could be so stubborn sometimes.
Rick: They are clearly wrong in what they think and do, and are obviously against what you yourself taught and lived. We must oppose them! They are what is wrong with the world today!
Jesus: Do not imitate them, then.
Rick: I don’t . . . but . . .
Jesus: What I want is for you to follow me. Give attention to the log in your own eye. As far as you are to be concerned, the log in your eye is what is wrong with the world.
Rick: I know that I need to get “the log” out of my own eye, but you said “first take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5). You clearly imply that I must also address the sins of others!
It seemed a little presumptuous to correct the Savior, but apparently Jesus had forgotten the exact wording of what he had said.
Jesus: So . . . have you gotten the log out of your own eye?
Rick stammered . . . Jesus wrote two words on a piece of paper and slid it across the table. His look was gentle, but Rick still blushed in embarrassment. There was that!
Jesus: When I said those words I was not commanding anyone to try and remove specks from the eyes of others. So often my disciples mistakenly conclude the exact opposite of what I meant. To anyone concerned about the sins of others, I say, “work on your own self.” If you think you have removed the log from your own eye, that thought is itself one of the worst logs.
Rick: I know I have my own problems . . .
Jesus: Sins.
Rick: Ok, sins . . . but if I don’t denounce these other people publicly for their sins, then I am complicit in what they do. Standing up for what is true means identifying who the evil people are.
A pained and disappointed look came over Jesus’ face.
Jesus: My messenger Paul, by my Spirit, correctly stated that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark powers in the spiritual world (Ephesians 6:12). Those powers of darkness would like nothing better than to get my followers to start identifying other people, their fellow brothers and sisters, as ‘the problem’ and ‘evil’.
Rick: Wait a minute! You yourself distinctly pointed out the sins of the Pharisees. Am I not following your example by highlighting that these people are evil?
Jesus: There you go again . . . hearing the opposite of what I was saying. What I said about the Pharisees was not to teach you to call other people Pharisees, but for you to be warned against those same tendencies within yourself. The Pharisees were not the problem, neither were the chief priests, the Romans, the tax collectors and prostitutes . . . none of them. The log in your own eye includes the desire to name others as ‘the problem’. Everyone wants to find scapegoats, to blame and demonize others, which is an easy way to avoid looking at ourselves.
Rick: Well . . . uh . . .
Jesus: Your task is to address your own thoughts, actions, intentions, and all that is within you. If your eye is clear, then your whole body will be full of light (Matthew 6:22). Live what is right. Point to what is true and good. Confess what you do wrong, and warn against doing evil, but do not lump other people in with what they do. Everyone is more than their worst actions or moments. There are only children of my Father, and I would not have you calling any of them evil. There are evil thoughts and actions, but not evil people. We must view with mercy and compassion those who have been taken captive by Satan to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). If you call other people themselves evil, then you too have been taken captive and are seeing the world like Satan would like you too . . . us versus them.
Rick: I thought there was a struggle of good against evil . . . is that not so?
Jesus: Yes, the conflict is between the created goodness of all things, and the corruption of evil which distorts that essential goodness. You should not call my creation evil, and I have made everyone. You cannot participate in the healing of the world by naming other people as evil, because that itself is an evil way of speaking about others.
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