And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
–Mark 11:8-10
Every now and then, someone will walk up to me and say, “Pastor, I don’t like going to church because there are so many hypocrites in the church today!” And every time someone says that to me, they say it like it’s the first time I’ve ever heard it!
But if you want to know what real hypocrisy is, take a look at the crowds worshipping Jesus when he entered Jerusalem. As long as he looked like he could do something for them – as long as everything was going well – they patted him on the back and said “We’re all for you!”
But just a few days later, when his popularity ran out and Jesus was arrested, where did they go? They left like rats from a sinking ship. And if you and I had been there that day, we’d have probably run away right behind them.
It can be easy to judge others when you and I look at the Scriptures. But the reality is that your sin, my sin, and their sin were equally culpable of putting Jesus on the cross. So whenever you have the urge to judge others, remember that it’s God’s grace alone that protects you from that same sin.
WHEN YOU FEEL TEMPTED TO JUDGE OTHERS, REMEMBER THAT GOD’S GRACE, NOT YOUR PERFORMANCE, IS WHY YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED.
