Note for 20250609 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 134 - Mat 15 - Leading the Blind
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
According to Matthew
Part 134 - Mat 15 - Leading the Blind
Matthew 15:1-39 KJV
[1] Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, [2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. [3] But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. [5] But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [6] and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. [7] Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, [8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [10] And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [11] not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. [12] Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? [13] But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. [14] Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. [15] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. [16] And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? [17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? [18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: [20] these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. [21] Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. [22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. [23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. [24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. [26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. [28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. [29] And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [30] And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: [31] insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. [32] Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. [33] And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? [34] And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. [35] And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. [36] And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. [37] And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. [38] And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. [39] And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.15.1-39.KJV
Note for 20250609
Leading the Blind
Leading the blind, are the blind. There is quite a bit in today's chapter, the feeding of the multitude, seven loaves to four thousand men and collecting 7 baskets of fragments. The interaction with the Canaanite woman and the matter of dogs and the lost sheep of Israel. But, standing out, today, is the matter that defiles a person.
Matthew 15:8-11 KJV
[8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [10] And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [11] not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.15.8-11.KJV
Let us then look at the matter that is often looked past. We know that out of the heart man brings through the mouth the treasure of his heart. So too, especially, when the tongue is unbridled when the ability to exercise self control is lost, due to partaking of a substance brought into the body. Let us look a little at the matter of drinking alcohol. In fact, let's look at all substances.
Does that which go into the body defile a man, or that which comes out of it? As a sober alcoholic for nearly 29 years, may I speak on it? In not partaking of alcohol, can I speak thereof? I used to call alcohol an amplifier. Whatever was in my heart was amplified when I got drunk, in a "no guts, no glory" type of way. But, that was speaking as a blind man. Now, I will agree with Christ, that is not the wine or mixtures that I drank that defiled me, but that which I had the guts to do and say, when I was drunk. In a lack of self-control, I said and did things I would never do when I was sober... Unless the opportunity presented itself where I didn't need the drink to give me guts. Understand? But, be weary, friends. That is from the teaching of a man, from my experience. If a man has a desire that requires alcohol for him to bring it out, but he refrains from alcohol to prevent it, the matter is still in his heart, isn't it? That is what I have found. But when it is kept in the heart only, then shall only that man suffer for it. When he drinks, he lures others into the same matter, like in adultery or fist-fights. Then he is no longer alone in his sufferings, but brings it upon others. Still, teachings of a man. Even though the matter is then concealed within, the Lord knows the truth of him, why he withholds himself or "let loose."
What then if a man does not need alcohol for his insult upon his fellow man? Are his actions excused because he did not drink? When he cannot blame the alcohol for his insults, fornications and other brutish behaviours? (Still from the speaking of a man)
Jesus made it quite clear here, One accused as a winebibber and a glutton. The Pharisees and scribes also accused him of driving out devils by the prince of devils, Beelzebub. Even in today's reading, he healed the daughter who was vexed with devils, by her faith, though He was reluctant at first. She was not a lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Now that is not by my lips, but by the lips of Christ)
Was Jesus brutish, did He sin at any time? But, by His own words He said that He drank wine. You see, it is not by what goes into a man that he is defiled, but by what comes from the heart of that man. What came from Christ? Selah.
But, we can hardly compare ourselves to Christ, for man is not without guilt, while Christ is without guilt. We are in guilt, I confess, but saved by the Innocence of our Saviour.
Do not listen to my words, but hear Christ's. I say, it is wise not to drink, because it removes your self-restraint from doing that which is evil and even that which defiles you. To bring it more in focus, it removes the bit from your mouth, and you become unbridled. I want to share something with you from the Complete Jewish Bible, as written by Peter.
2 Kefa (2 Pe) 1:5-7 CJB
[5] For this very reason, try your hardest to furnish your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, [6] knowledge with self-control, self-control with perseverance, perseverance with godliness, [7] godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
https://bible.com/bible/1275/2pe.1.5-7.CJB
Where does self-control fit in here, and what does it lead to?
Friends, be aware of what is GOD'S Word and what is said by mankind. In doing so, you will learn how to rightly divide the scriptures too. We are in a world where the blind lead the blind, but we must turn from that blind way and follow Him Who came to bring the blind to see. Understand? For today's message, it is better not to drink because of what will come out of you and how it may harm others, including yourself. But, the matter to contend within yourself is sin itself. We withhold ourselves firstly from that in the strength of Jesus Christ. I can confess, alcohol brings division. It brings man in contention with one another. Because the carnal heart (according to Paul) is at enmity with GOD. GOD is love, and a godly love.
But, we all stand before God in guilt. We are to work out our Salvation with the Lord. Do not let your loved ones suffer because of your love of getting drunk or disorderly, but focus on those things that promote the love of GOD in you.
Selah, Shalom
(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App
Luke 18:14 KJV
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.18.14.KJV
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