“Woe unto you, you blind guides, which say, whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!” (Matthew 23:16)
The 23rd chapter of Matthew contains some harsh denunciations as Jesus delivers the eight “woes.” Even the Greek word is a bit eerie, pronounced “oo-ah-ee!” Can you imagine this series of stern admonitions delivered to the faces of these self-righteous manipulators of truth? “Oo-ah-ee you scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees, hypocrites!” It must have given chills to everyone there.
The blindness that Jesus was condemning has both a practical and spiritual impact. Obviously, if one does not understand the simple truth, the result is going to be either embarrassing or painful. “They are blind leaders of the blind,” Jesus said. “And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).
The great Creator of the universe knows best how to guide His creation. If we, the stewards (Genesis 1:28), do not know or understand the Creator’s instructions, we are bound to get into trouble. That “truth blindness” often results in “blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).
But the greater blindness is spiritual. Peter listed attributes on how to grow in faith and gain assurance. Then he advised, “But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
In His messages to the seven churches, Jesus warned Laodicea, “Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). His counsel: “Buy of me gold . . . and white raiment . . . and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:18).
Jesus invites all confused, lost unbelievers to follow Him out of this world’s spiritual darkness into His glorious light. Only He can say, “I am the Light of the world, whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness but in the light of life (John 8:12). In His light we can see stumbling blocks of sin that lay hidden. His light shines on the pathway ahead so that we can follow Him one day at a time.
Like the pillar of fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness, God’s light brings us safety and guidance. As the apostle Paul explained Jesus is “the true light” (John 1:9) and “the darkness cannot overcome it (Vs 5) Because he is the true light we do not wander through this world as lost sheep. But shall at the end of our journey stand before Him and follow him throughout eternity.
“O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen.
Have A Blessed Day,
Dr Robert Bryant