The Talmud derives the principle of judging others favorably from a verse in Leviticus (19:15): "In righteousness shall you judge your fellow" In its literal sense, the verse is addressing judges. The Sages derive from this the importance of being fair and impartial to both sides in a disagreement, not giving better treatment to either one during the court proceedings.In Jewish literature since before Christ the importance of judging favorably or judging righteously as Jesus says in scripture. Understanding Jesus' Jewish audience demonstrates what Jesus really meant when He said "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24The fact of righteous judging meaning judging favorably is disregarded by many because rather than follow the counsel of our Savior, many would rather stick to their "righteous indignation."But this teaching stems from Leviticus and would radically change our society if more people were to follow it.Another radical teaching is this one in Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
We are given no exceptions to this teaching. There is no, "love your enemies unless...," teaching. Jesus simply states that we are to love our enemies as He did when He prayed that Hod forgive His murderers for they knew not what they did.
Now for a parable to tie the two teachings together:
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:30-37
The Samaritan made no assumptions about the injured Jew who was wounded and stranded unconscious on the roadside.
The Samaritan treated His enemy as most would only treat their loved ones. This is the radical example of what good loving your enemy can amount to.
Here's a modern example of the wonders these radical teachings can work.
At an abandoned Catholic cathedral Saint Edwards in Philidelphia, the homeless families in the area sought shelter.
The Catholic Church declared along with the city government that these homeless families were squatting. But fearing a PR snafu the homeless families were told that there would be a safety inspection by the local fire department.
While the city and Catholic Church plotted the best ways to rid themselves of the problem a local group of college kids got involved and met with the homeless families.
They had church services all on their own with their communion/sacrament with Apple juice and stale baffles or whatever they could find. The cathedral echoed with children's voices singing as these families and college kids sang hymns together.
These families and college kids became a family.
But for as hard as this new family tried it seemed as though their eviction was a foregone conclusion.
But the college kids pointed out to the public that Jesus was homeless.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Luke 9:58
But in the dead of night only days before the inspection there was a knock on the cathedral door. It was two off duty fire fighters there to ensure that these homeless families would pass the inspection.
They brought fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and everything needed. The spent hours working and risked their livelihood doing so.
The homeless families passed the inspection and were allowed to stay and they formed The Kensington Welfare Rights Union which is now an international group fighting to end homelessness and poverty.
One of those college kids became a semi famous author and preacher Shane Claiborne.
Faith can move mountains but faith in love is the stuff of miracles.
