Gospel in Art: Whoever humbles himself will be exalted

The Lindau Gospels, Latin manuscript with jeweled gold cover, 780-880 © The Morgan Library, New York

Source: Christian Art

3 February 2026
Matthew 23:8-12

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'

Reflection on the Early Medieval Bible Cover

We live in a culture that places enormous importance on image and appearance. We live in a highly visual world, where what we see is often carefully shaped, crafted, photoshopped, edited, and enhanced. We know this instinctively, which is why we say things like "don't judge a book by its cover" or "all that glitters is not gold." And yet, the pressure to look attractive remains strong. People can expend huge energy (and money) on appearances, on how they are perceived, on curating an outward image that suggests success, worth, or virtue.

In today's Gospel, Jesus gently but firmly redirects our gaze. What matters most is not how someone appears, but who they are within. The deepest truth of this is revealed on the cross, where Jesus appears utterly defeated and stripped of beauty. Yet at precisely that very moment, the love within him is at its most powerful. That is when Jesus was at his most beautiful. I feel even odd writing this, but yet it is the truth. The same pattern is seen in the poor widow who offers two small coins at the Temple: outwardly insignificant, yet inwardly rich in generosity. Jesus sees what others miss, calling his disciples to always look deeper, beyond the surface. The Gospel reminds us that appearances can deceive; sometimes there is far less there than meets the eye, and sometimes far more. What ultimately matters is not the image we project, but the love we carry.

Where we can judge a book by its cover is with some of the great antique Bible covers, where the beauty of the exterior was deliberately crafted to honour the sacred Word within. The 'Lindau Gospels' isa lavishly adorned Latin Gospel book whose cover brings together materials and craftsmanship from several regions and periods of early medieval Europe. The front cover, made in eastern France around 870, is fashioned from gold repoussé and depicts the Crucifixion of Christ: Christ is shown alive, upright, and triumphant on the Cross, crowned and serene, proclaiming victory over death rather than suffering alone. Surrounding him are personifications of the Sun and Moon, angels, and figures of Mary and Saint John, embedding the Crucifixion within a cosmic and salvific drama. The gold surface is richly set with precious stones, pearls, and gems, many reused from earlier objects, reflecting both reverence for antiquity and the belief that Scripture deserved the most precious materials available. The manuscript itself, produced around 880 in the Abbey of St Gall (Switzerland), contains the Gospel text written on fine parchment. Together, text and treasure proclaim a core medieval conviction: that the Word of God is not only to be read, but venerated, clothed in beauty worthy of the divine mystery it contains.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-23-8-12-2