Scripture

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.”

Observation

Jesus stays away from Judea because He is aware that the Jewish leaders are plotting to kill Him, and the time for Him to die has not yet come. His brothers, at this stage unbelievers, persuade Him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles.

Jesus goes to the Feast secretly, but half way through He starts preaching. He addresses the hostility He receives for healing on the Sabbath, pointing out that children are circumcised on the Sabbath to keep the Law. Therefore healing on the Sabbath is justified.

Application

It has always been an issue for human beings that we can be easily deceived by appearances. This goes right back to Eve who saw that the fruit was pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom. The prophet Samuel warned that “Man judges by the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”

This false and deceptive form of judgement is particularly true in the visual and feelings generation. If it feels good, it must be right. If somebody speaks passionately they are judged to be correct.

Jesus tells us to stop judging by mere appearances, and instead make right judgements.

The world tells us to go with our heart, but the Bible tells us the heart is deceitful above all things.

We must not judge anything or anybody by how they appear, but only against the Word of God. This is true wisdom.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your Word which is the true measuring rod for all things. Help me to not judge by feelings but only by what you say. Amen.