"Scale of Justice"

 ""Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?"" (John 7:51 KJV)

  "Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish." (Proverbs 18:13 NLT)

 There is something here that is very much part of this story, and probably part of everyone's life, in one way or another. Some might call it, 'Jumping to conclusions,' where we settle a matter that we really know nothing about, but based upon what we think that we know, we have already determined it is this or that, without even seeing the facts. I find myself doing this, more than I would care to admit.

 First, there is this guy, Nicodemus; maybe one of the first of these Pharisees to believe the Jesus was actually sent by God. "One of them," John references him as, being part of those that belonged to a group, that whether or not they knew it, they thought their stuff did not stink, and felt more superior that anyone else. If you recall, "Nic at Night," he went out to find out who Jesus was, and leaving knowing so much more about himself; seeing that he needed salvation! 

 It was probably this encounter with himself, his own wicked heart, that inspired him to ask this question. If you know that things are not always what they might appear, including our own security, then you are quite aware that there are other things going on around you, that might need consideration. It might not seem obvious, but there was a big problem with these leaders, judging a man before knowing all of the facts. 

 Interesting enough, but the events to follow flow strangely into that very same topic. Nevertheless, any heart that is set upon a certain course, is not easily moved into the other direction! Like my mom would say, "If you point your finger at someone, you have three fingers pointing back at you!" 

 Secondly, this crowd of leaders, they already had it out for Jesus; and had they actually been paying attention to their own hearts, they would have realized just how wrong they were for judging him, seeing that the Temple guards could see something good in what Jesus said. Another piece of mom's advice: "Take a good look at yourself, before you judge someone else!" 

 Finally, it would appear that 'Nic' fell short in his defense, having not mentioned what was in his own heart! Having been in this same situation, it is sometimes easy to point out the obvious wrong, but it is hard sometimes to continue, by pointing out the right! Pray tell, what does that mean? 

 Something else my mom would say, that I constantly forget to adhere to: "If you don't have something nice to say about anyone, then don't say anything at all!" Sorry if I leave it there, I need to pray about something...

"The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?" (Proverbs 18:14 NLT)