YOU ARE NOT A JUDGE

Saturday: October 31, 2020

“You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade”

The lyrics of this song titled ‘you are more’ by Tenth Avenue North finds a place in today’s text. When we look at the parable Jesus speaks, it might be strange to see how they fit together. But at a wedding feast or any other gathering, guests are often allocated seats. When this is not done, there can be some confusions where reallocation on the spot has to done depending on who turns up and when.

In many cases therefore, in theory, there could be a transposition from higher a place to a lower or vice versa depending on the seat allocation. When this transition is from a low to higher place, people are celebrated and applauded but when the reverse happens, society isn’t as forgiving. Shame is associated, mistakes brought to bear and even reasons to suggest that such people were undeserving of their status.

“You are more” reminds us not to define others in the context of just the mistakes and choices they may have made. When we see others backslide or transition downwards on a ladder, though it might be hard, let us bear in mind that we have not been made judges to decide who deserves what and who does not. Let’s rather be sympathetic, reach out and help them back up as much as we can.

#sly