Today’s passage is Matthew 15:10-20.
Jesus tells the crowd that what comes out our mouths makes us unclean not what goes into them. When the disciples tell Jesus that the Pharisees were offended by this, he says not to follow them because they are blind leaders.
Jesus calls his disciples dull-witted for not understanding what he’s said and explains that what comes out our mouths are the words of our sinful hearts and this makes us unclean.
All day long I had in my mind’s eye the famous painting of the blind leading the blind by Brueghel, a 16th century Flemish painter.
In the painting, the blind leader has fallen into a pit and two blind men following him are stumbling and following behind them are three more blind men that we know will fall too. It’s very sad. In the background is a church but they are not walking towards it.
I followed the blind guide of adultery and sexual immorality even after I met Jesus.
I followed the blind guide of the happiness dream until I had nothing, no wife, no family, no money, no job. I followed the blind guide of pride, hoping to cover my insecurity and fear of being exposed as a pretender to knowledge.
I followed the blind guide of world travel, an empty distraction from purposeful work and a devourer of my money.
And now I am tempted by the blind guide of retirement where I, not God, determine my daily work.
The blind guides are easy to follow because they are so sure of their direction, and I follow easily, blinded by my desire for a healthy, exciting, and honored life of small suffering.
Lord, open my eyes to your truth, let me see your path, and give me your strength to walk it.
