Blind Leaders, Vain Worship and Me
Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
These are the words of Jesus as He responded to a statement of concern from the disciples that He has offended the Scribes and Pharisees. Apparently He was not concerned about the offense. This hardly sounds like the compassion usually associated with the Savior. It seems that as we follow Jesus through the Gospels that His only object of disdain is the self-righteous. The Pharisees are the subject of an entire chapter, Matthew 23:23-33, where He pronounces “woe’s” against them for their blind, hard, self-righteous hearts.
In Matthew 15 they have come to investigate Him as He preaches and heals people around the area of the Sea of Galilee. After walking 80-some miles to have their encounter, what would you suppose their first question for this famous teaching, healing, miracle working Rabbi would be? How about, Matthew 15:2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” This resulted in a stern rebuke from Jesus.
Matthew 15:3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Jesus proceeds to chastise them for their substitution of their own commands for the commands of God. The Jews had devised an elaborate system of “fencing” the Law. That is, they were so concerned about breaking the Law that they actually invented many other laws of their own to keep themselves at a safe distance from it. It seemed like a reasonable solution since their forefathers had been judged so harshly for violating God’s Law in Old Testament times. However, it did not work as they had thought. Instead it caused them to focus on their own laws to the disregard of God’s Laws.
God’s Word is indeed sufficient for what God has given it for. If we try to add to it, standards that God did not see fit to put in it in the first place, we are demonstrating a lack of faith. Jesus says of the Scribes and Pharisees who had done this, Matthew 15:8-9 “‘THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. 9 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’ ” And so, according to His application of Isaiah 29:13 , it makes worship worthless. No matter how much we say we love Jesus if we substitute our word for His, it renders that worship vain. Here is where Jesus put His foot down, so to speak.
Jesus tells the disciples that outward rituals are worthless for making men right with God. Corruption is inside of man and it cannot be fenced off. Matthew 15:10-20 Jesus had no concern for those who would try to deal with sin by outward rituals. To the point where He said to His disciples; Matthew 15:13-14 “But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.’ ” He is literally telling them through a parable that there is nothing to be done with the one who rejects the Word of God in favor of his own system of righteousness. Their rejection of the Word of God is a demonstration of their reprobation, so there is nothing that can be done for them.
How many in good churches do the very same thing as they judge other Believers and look down their noses because of man-made standards that they impose on others without biblical warrant? Music, Clothing, Bible Translations…. The list goes on. Failure of others to meet our standards causes us to neglect the clear command of Jesus Christ that all Believers “love one another.” 2 John 1:5-6 . Thus we have made the command of God of no effect by our own rules as well. Where does that put you?
I pray that as you listen to this message that you are compelled to examine your own heart on this issue and then to be obedient to the commands of Jesus rather than your own idea of what is right.
Blind Leaders – Matthew 15:12-14
In Christ!
Kevin
Tags: Legalism, Pharisees, The Church, Worship
Sermons | Kevin Hoffman | 
August 29, 2010 11:35 am
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