Beams and specks

Matthew 7:3 says, "Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?". The Jewish Rabbinc style of teaching often used exageration to make a point...which makes for quite interesting word pictures, as in this case. It drives the point home. The true meaning of what the Lord Jesus was saying here is that we should not become critical of others in order to lift ourselves higher. There are plenty of places in the Bible that do call us to make judgement calls, and even correct others in a loving, humble spirit. Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, "If you judge people, you have not time to love them." This true statement also warns us of the pre-occupation of sitting in wrong judgement of others when there is so much loving to do.