Matthew 7, 8 & 9

Chapter 7 starts with the "Do not judge" passage people like to quote so frequently. But Jesus didn't say absolutely "do not judge." He said, "First remove the plank (or log, depending on your translation) from your own eye, then remove the speck from your brother's eye." The point is, do not judge without self-examination, do not judge hypocritically - not do not be discerning and call what is evil, evil.

Chapter 9 ends with the Bible telling us Jesus has compassion on the crowds because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. I had to think about that for a second, but what happens to sheep without a shepherd? There's no one to take care of them, no one to protect them from danger, no one to guide them to food and water. They have to struggle and fend for themselves, and sheep don't exactly have the best sense of direction, from what I understand. That's who God wants to be to us, who He is to us if we are his children. We don't have to fend for ourselves.

Lastly Jesus tells us, looking out at the weary crowd, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray to the Lord that he will send out workers for the harvest."

Selah.