It's no secret that Ted Lasso is one of my favorite television characters. I'd lump Ted in with Fred Rogers, Bob Ross, and LeVar Burton.

There's a scene late in season one where Ted challenges the story's villain, Rupert, to a game of darts.

Ted is "White Knighting" to save the honor of his boss and friend, Rebecca. But towards the end of the scene Ted monologues on the idea of being more curious than judgmental. Of how people have been underestimating Ted his whole life because they never bothered to ask questions before they decided on their assumptions about him. It's a wonderful scene (➡ YouTube - warning: there's a swear word).

And I realize that I do that. A lot. Like, a LOT a lot. I'm lazy. Or worse, I'm disinterested.

Where, if I thought it through, I'd realize that I don't feel like the value of knowing someone or their culture or their circumstances is worth the effort to explore. They are – as a person – not valuable enough for me to ask questions or consider or empathize with.

Isn't that a horrible thing to say? Or to feel?

It first occurred to me a few years ago. It was late at night. Probably after a wedding. I pulled into a Kwik Trip to use the restroom and get a Diet Coke (the second-best fountain drinks after Mcdonald's). The KT wasn't in a well-heeled neighborhood. And a group of young black men were entering the store as I was getting out of my car.

It struck me that most of the group had their sweatshirt hoods up and the waists of their pants down. And in that moment I made about fifteen judgments. I assigned characteristics and intentions to all of those men without seeing their faces, without knowing their names, without knowing their history, and without knowing how their day was going. I wasn't curious. I was judgmental.

And it's not just race, for me. If I see someone with purple hair: assumptions.  If I see someone with a Trump sticker: assumptions.  If I see someone with face tattoos: assumptions.  If I see someone driving a new, big, black SUV: assumptions.  If I see someone with filthy clothes: assumptions.

Where My Assumptions = My Judgements

Jesus knows this about me and about you. In the glorious Sermon on the Mount (which, I'll repeat again, you should be reading through and studying thoroughly - Matthew 5, 6, and 7), Jesus says this...

Do not judge other people. Then you will not be judged. You will be judged in the same way you judge others. You will be measured in the same way you measure others.

You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend’s eye. But you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye. How can you say to your friend, "Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye"? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye? You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend’s eye.

Church, let's get better at this. Together. Let's be more curious and less judgmental. It's the way of love, really. It's the way of Christ. He didn't make assumptions about the worth and value of who he saw as Samaritans or lepers or thieves or prostitutes or even Pharisees (are you listening, Scott?). He loved and was curious. Let's do the same!

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Praying for God's grace and peace in your life,

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