Nougat 14

Are you the type of person who doesn’t enjoy reading the same thing more than once? Or doing the same thing over and over again? If you are, I apologise for the repetitious Nougats. But I hope the reflections help you realize that with scripture, there can be multiple perspectives. Thus, repetition has benefits. I’ve found that sometimes I read a passage, and the next time I read it, my perspective shifts.

Today’s Holy Nougat is one such. In fact, it has been quoted out of context for years. When read with the background verses, we find that the popular interpretation is not where Jesus was leading the disciples.

Luke 6:38 NIV

[38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Poured Back

I’ve sung choruses based on this verse. They were all/mostly about financial stewardship. While that is most applicable, it is not contextual. For in the preceeding verses, which originate from what is called the ‘Sermon on the Plain’, Jesus was addressing the issue of criticism and judging others. When read with that thought in mind, the admonition sounds different from an appeal for tithes and offering.

Let’s hear it once again.

Give criticism and criticism will come back to you. [It will come as] a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

This is kinda hard to hear. As a matter of fact, it has me thinking about my attitude to others back in the day.

I had an exceedingly critical spirit. Yes, I found fault with everyone and anything. I justified my criticism. Someone had to tell the truth. Or, something along the lines of helping them to improve. It is possible that deep down I wanted the person to succeed, but it wasn’t only about the desire, the delivery mattered. And I guarantee, the delivery was harsh.

What I didn’t expect was the vitriol that was sometimes directed my way. Because I hadn’t factored in the ‘Pour Back’. You see siblings, the Pour Back doesn’t always come at the moment we expend criticism. It might not even come from the same source. And even if/when we expect it, criticism carries its own sting. For most times, criticism tells us that we’re ‘less than’. It is a judgement that says, we’re weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Is that the message we wish to speak into someone’s life? Is that the message we wish to have poured back into us?

Lord,

Whatever vestiges of a critical spirit that dwells within us, I pray You would convict us, and help us lose it permanently. Please forgive us for minimising the worth of others by being critical. Transform us we pray, in Jesus name amen.

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May all we seek be found in Christ