And He spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39
Two old men were making their way slowly through the congested pedestrian traffic on a busy Friday evening. They moved slowly because they were uncertain of their surroundings. One of the old men was deaf and could not hear any vehicles or people around them. The other man could hear fairly well, but was totally blind. Every move they made had to be cross-referenced with each other. But they did well for most of their journey until they came to a pedestrian mall that was filled with people. When a man with an ice cream cart rang his bell to warn people ahead of him, the blind man jumped back, pulling his friend with him. But in doing so, they bumped into a fruit vendor’s stall, scattering the oranges and apples in all directions. The old men were deeply embarrassed, but unhurt. And they provided for us a practical example of what the Lord Jesus was speaking about in today’s parable.
Of course, the Lord Jesus was not referring to physical blindness in this parable, although what He said makes perfect sense in natural terms. No, He was speaking of spiritual blindness. While it is true that very few people with no physical eyesight are given the task of being a guide to anyone, it is also true that a great many people with no spiritual sight are given the task of being a spiritual guide to people. As the Lord Jesus indicated, it makes no sense in the natural realm and should make no sense in the spiritual realm. But if you or I were to make our way into so-called houses of worship on any Sunday, we would find most of the pulpits of Christendom filled with blind men and women. To most of these people, the role of minister or pastor or parson is a professional one, a career path they have chosen. For them, success is a large congregation and the praise of men. All they know of spiritual things is what they have learned in a seminary from men and women who are as blind as themselves. They know nothing of the Gospel themselves and make no effort to tell it to others. All of these blind people are doing nothing but leading other blind people into a ditch. Is it any wonder that most of professing Christendom today is nothing but an empty and meaningless shell that provides only entertainment and ritual and social fluff. The light of the glorious Gospel of Christ has not shined into their souls. May that never be said of us.
The Word of God has meaning only to those to whom the Holy Spirit gives understanding. Our spiritual blindness was banished when we were brought to repentance and faith in Christ. But we need to be very careful that we use the spiritual eyesight that we have been given to examine the Scriptures and learn for ourselves. We will learn how to walk as obedient children of God, and how to avoid the ditches of error and disobedience.
We are children of the light, granted sight to behold the truths of God. Let us use this great gift to avoid the ditches, and to lead others to safety. -Jim MacIntosh