My dear good husband, for many years, when I asked him for a glass of water, would splash about two inches into a large glass and bring it to me. I would point out that this was not much water to quench my thirst and could he please fill up the glass next time? As I think about it, it’s been a long time since he’s brought me one of those measly glasses of water. Now he fills my glass right up to the top! Right now, we are making our grocery list on Instacart and having it delivered to our house. It’s always bothersome to open a bag or box of food and see that it’s only about 1/3 full—and yeah, yeah, “contents have settled in transit”—but you just wish it were closer to full. We notice when good things are withheld from us.
In our Scripture, Jesus is talking with the crowds who gathered for the Sermon on the Plain. He’s been describing the expansive, exuberant, joyful way to live in the Kingdom, which is available to all who follow Him. It’s life that doesn’t count the cost to self but is open to forgiveness, blessing others, and giving freely. It calls for courage because not everyone encountered will bless the follower back. But it sounds, as Jesus describes it, like the life that brings deep freedom and deep joy. Our Scripture today is part of that message.
Instead of spending our days and our energy judging others’ behaviors and condemning them, Jesus turns it inside out and says that if you do that, you will be judged and condemned! “Instead, don’t you want to be forgiven?” He asks. That word “forgiven” is like a fresh breeze after “judge” and “condemn.” Jesus is telling us to let go of judgment and condemnation and offer forgiveness, which will then lead to OUR being forgiven. Give freely, not withholding forgiveness from others, and, lo and behold, you will receive the gift of forgiveness. All judgment and condemnation will give you is exactly the same dealt straight back to you. That sour bitter awfulness you gave will come right back at you.
Jesus is describing the economy of the Kingdom. Give what you want to receive, and not only will you get that back but much, much more! “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” I picture a laughing woman, holding out her apron and getting something really good poured into it until it runs over. Then the Giver checks, shuffles things, and pours more in. Because it’s February, what I imagine is ripe peaches! Give and forgive, friends, and prepare to have the Lord pour back into you. The good life in Jesus is the life that the Giver of all pours out on us, freely forgiving and giving to us all.