Good morning!
Where does that saying, “the blind leading the blind” come from?
Jesus!
In today’s gospel, Jesus scolds the religious authorities for their hypocrisy. They think their job as leaders of the faith means they are sin detectors, and they only detect sin in other people!
Clearly, they are not seeing the truth; nor are they modeling the loving, gracious way of life that God intends for His children. The worse thing is that the leaders are teaching the people that religion is adhering to man-made rules and trying to catch one another slipping up!
Jesus says to those who are leading the flock astray, “‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
“Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye’, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye!”
Unfortunately, the coldness of their hearts prevented them from seeing the “log” in their own eye. They just didn’t care about anyone but themselves and holding onto their positions of “authority.”
This “blindness” continues today in our world. Hardheartedness seems to be on the rise, especially when it comes to American politics.
My charge to you today, friends, is to remember that the teachings of Jesus Christ are meant for all aspects of our lives—and not just on Sunday mornings in church. Don’t let your heart get hard! Don’t listen to all the trash talk! Don’t participate in it!
Focus, instead, on what Jesus commanded us to do: loving our neighbors as ourselves.
How do we do that in a world full of cynicism and anger?
We take our minds off the things of this world and we place our minds on “things above.” We trust the One who was willing to give up His life to save the world that was perishing in its sins.
We ask the Lord for His help.
Will you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, we confess that we are all guilty of hardheartedness at times. We choose to be “blind” because the truth convicts us of our sin. It is much easier—and less painful—to point out fault in others than to humbly repent and confess our sins before You and one another. And yet, you are always waiting to embrace us and assure us of our forgiveness. Your Spirit is always with us and the power to resist temptation is always available to us, if we seek Your help and strength. We do that now, Lord! We ask that You remind us of your presence—today and always—and keep us from sin. Renew our minds and cleanse our hearts so we are more like Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen!
Our readings today are Hosea 14:1-9; Acts 22:30-23:11; Luke 6:39-49; and Psalms 106:1-18.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Karen
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