on December 27, 2012
Luke 6:37-38 – He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Nature and common sense teach us that it’s plain stupidity for a blind person to rely upon another blind person’s guidance through a terrain of pitfalls and snares. Yet, Jesus raises this question in recognition that human nature is not always very sensibly selective in its choices for life guides. It’s our individual responsibility to recognize the difference between blind guides and those who lead by the truth.
Isaiah 56 describes Israel’s watchmen as blind and thereby defines the blindness Jesus referenced. These blind guides lacked knowledge, understanding and leadership. They were in charge of watching the sheep, but Isaiah describes them as dogs with no bark or bite when it comes to things that may threaten harm to the sheep. They’re lazy bums who lie around and dream, they love sleep, recreation and vacation. These dogs have voracious appetites for whatever they can consume from the flock! They’re self-serving and greedy with abusive addictions to alcohol. They are incapable of teaching anyone how to recognize danger, how to be ambitious and productive, how to be content with food, clothing and shelter, or to be sober and benevolent. Jesus says, that the students of these watchmen will become just like them! How can such people lead a nation anywhere but straight into the pit?
In Matthew 15, the Pharisees were offended because Jesus called them “blind guides.” These spiritual leaders did not truly and intimately know God and yet they assumed authority to teach others about Him. They knew the Law of Moses, but they did not know the One who gave it. If they had, they would love what God loves and His precepts would be on their hearts – they would love Him! The Pharisees were more concerned with laws and ceremonies that addressed the importance of being PHYSICALLY clean. Jesus told them that it was more important to have a clean heart than to have clean hands. He proclaimed that the heart is the launching pad for unclean behaviors like: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, lying and slander. These are what make a man unclean. If you try to clean up a man from the outside, you are blind to the real problem! You would make just as much progress cleaning up a pig, putting a ribbon on it and dressing it in finery – in the end, YOU STILL HAVE A PIG! Laws and instructions that think they can correct issues of the heart is pure blindness! More than outward reform and cleaning, transformation that begins in the heart is what is needed!
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” – John 9:39.Some Pharisees indignantly wondered if Jesus was including them in His reference. Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” These Pharisees become Jesus’ best example of blind guides. Their actions betray their insistence that they are enlightened. They travel far and wide to obtain disciples who will follow them. The fruit of their instruction is more teachers who are twice the sons of hell that they are (Matthew 23:15). The blind cannot lead the blind anywhere but into the pit – the pit of hell!
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday:
- Thank God for opening the eyes of the blind through the light of truth!
- Good News families of the week: Ruth Doolittle, Adam Doud, Joan Doud
Saturday:
- Pray for those who yet walk in darkness, that they may be guided into the light!
Sunday:
- Give thanks that God has won your heart, forgiven your sins and is transforming your life!
Monday:
- Pray that those whose hearts have not yet experienced the transforming love of God.
Tuesday:
- Give thanks that God’s Spirit does not keep us in the dark but guides us into all truth!
Wednesday:
- Pray that the eyes of the blind will be opened to see the blindness of their current guides.
Prayer Challenge: Pray that the people walking in darkness may see a great light; that those living in the land of the shadow of death may have the light turned on! Remember that you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.