“Can a blind person guide another blind person?” The disciples are to be leaders of the people, but they cannot be blind guides; they must see the way first.
The saying here can have two meanings. In the context of “not judging,” it may refer to the recognition of one’s own faults. If the disciple has not learned self-criticism (removing the beam from his eyes), he cannot lead others (removing splinter in the brother’s eye). In connection with the “disciple” and “teacher,” the saying refers to instruction in the Christian community (Acts 8:31). Clear vision is needed in the guide (teacher), but since the pupil depends on the teacher, the clear vision of the latter is all the more required. The disciple can be a true guide only when he becomes like his teacher Jesus. How can he do justice to his responsibility to others if he himself has not been thoroughly grounded in God’s word, if he has not
made it his own?
We tend to remake others into our own image and likeness, to judge them in accordance with our standards. Jesus asks us to follow him to fashion us in His likeness that we may judge from his perspective. His illustration about the wooden beam in one’s eye is close to his experience as a carpenter. To carry a beam in the crowded streets of Nazareth is to risk hit ting people. Not without irony, Jesus tells the hypocrite that instead of minding his neighbor’s business, he would do better to watch out for the beam that may be oncoming. To see the best side of others is a great gift.
