2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Thursday, August 13
Matthew 15:10-20
[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
“… 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit. …”
My brother-in-law owned a company that installed and cleaned Venetian blinds. On the rear of their delivery van they had written: “Blind Man Driving”. I always thought that was hilarious.
Jesus makes the point that blind guides are useless to those who are blind. If one falls into a pit, the other will follow. The meaning seems obvious. Choosing the right guide is a key to journeying safely through life and toward the kingdom of God.
Unfortunately, according to the Lord, the Pharisees were leading the people the wrong way – away from a relationship with God toward something else. Like being led by a blind guide, many of the people were lost.
That’s where Jesus came in. As the Son of God, he had the vision and authority to guide people toward the true Light. Rather than stumbling in the dark, Jesus offered the light of Gospel as a means to draw people to God. Rather than a blind driver, Jesus leads us on our journey toward the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World. Lead me by Your Light that I may not stumble in the dark anymore but discover anew each day the Kingdom of God. Amen.