Why Do You See The Speck but Do Not Notice the Log?

Perhaps Jesus chose the word picture of a blinding log because the issue was brothers judging brothers. The fact that it was about judging indicated blindness, not diminished vision, but blindness. Judging is the fruit of blindly taking offense at another’s behavior, blindness of both the true self and the other.

Jesus chose to go to the cross only because of his infinite empathy that came from clearly seeing our condition. He chose humble obedience unto death because he clearly saw our need and he responded with compassion, empathy, and forgiveness.

We judge and condemn because in our blindness we are unwilling to go to the cross for the brother. The more clearly we see ourselves and our brothers, the more we will choose empathy, compassion, mercy and forgiveness.