“He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.'” Luke 6:39,40
Devotional Thought For The Day
Unfortunately there are many “blind” people out there in the world offering guidance, instruction, and leadership to others. Sadly, there are many “blind” people being led by these blind leaders – and one feels great pity and sorrow for them since they are unable to see and perceive the foolishness they are involved in. And yes, as Jesus indicates, in the end “both fall into a pit.” If taught by the blind, one becomes “like his teacher,” blind and destined for a fall. This is deplorable, especially since the Lord has provided us with a perfect guide – His holy and infallible Word, written in the Bible, the only Holy Scripture. Sadly, there are many who “use” this Word in blindness, only to further ensnare others in misbelief and great shame and vice. This has been the case from the beginning, in Moses’ day, in Jeremiah’s day, in Jesus’ day, and throughout the apostolic era. From the earliest days of the church to this very day this “blinding” phenomenon continues – the blind leading the blind.
What of Christian pastors and leaders within the church today? Again, it is very sad that we don’t take seriously the words of Jesus: “a disciple is not above his teacher.” Obviously, Jesus is “the teacher” within the church, His church – so that every disciple needs to carefully remember that we are not, cannot, and never will be “above” our teacher. This means complete and absolute humility and submission to the Word of our teacher, to the Lord Jesus Christ. How easily we forget this, and “casually” add our subtle “corrections” to His Word – thus blindly leading others to underestimate and undervalue the absolute truthfulness, love, and power of Jesus. When the gracious love, mercy, forgiveness, and free gift of life and salvation earned and provided for us by Jesus is covered over and obscured – regardless of how this is done – there is a deep and dire pit laying ahead. Likewise, whenever the good and gracious will of God is obscured or denied, His moral instruction as to the true nature of love – as revealed in Holy Scripture, there is a deep and dire pit laying ahead.
As a young man I found virtually nothing within myself to compare with “the teacher,” our Lord Jesus Christ. I would have been repelled at the arrogance of anyone who thought they could be like Jesus – “tempted in all points like we are, and yet without sin.” [Heb. 4:15] Still, this is the goal and the dynamic of learning from our teacher: “everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Now we cannot be like our teacher in every aspect of our being. He is the eternal and almighty Son of God, and He is perfectly holy in every respect – while we are finite and limited creatures, and we sin much every day in thought, word, and deed. But the goal, as we spend time with Jesus in His Word, learning of His great love for us and learning to love from Him, is that we become more and more like Him. This is especially important for those who teach and lead others – that we provide the guidance of Jesus Himself by accurately and faithfully presenting His Word in our teaching. Anyone who declines to do this is in effect putting themselves “above” the teacher, above Christ’s Word, above God Himself. For such what lies ahead is a deep and dire pit – and those who follow them will fall into the same pit.
I’m certain that we are to derive greater and greater pleasure each day in learning from our teacher, the Lord Jesus, our blessed Savior. I’m certain that the greatest pleasure – even when it involves painful confrontation and conflict – is accurately and faithfully presenting His Word to others. And it surely is a pleasure, for those who know and believe the love that God has for us, the love of Jesus, to become more like our teacher. Jesus indicates that this renewal of our heart and our being is a process – one which is not fully complete in this life, so we must continue to be instructed by Him, learning from Him, and being conformed by Him to His own image and likeness. Then we will be fit and apt teachers and leaders for others, to their benefit rather than their destruction. It is a very weighty responsibility but a most blessed expression of God’s love for all, and by His gracious love we are prepared, strengthened, and upheld for such loving service.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, thanks and praise be to You for being our teacher, for Your patience with us, Your persistence in instructing and leading us, and for blessing us to reflect Your character. Preserve us from all false and misleading teaching of those who are blind, and keep us from ever misleading others. Help us to find ever greater joy in Your teaching, Your precious Word, that provided for us in Holy Scripture, the Bible – and to reject anything that conflicts, perverts, adds to, or subtracts from Your Word. Amen.