Introduction
In today’s sophisticated and technological world, there are still jobs that do not require specific training or prior experience. However, for most career paths, it is essential to train ourselves in the skills needed for the job we want to pursue in order to find work and earn a living. This principle applies also to many churches, where serving in various capacities often requires some Biblical training. Given the diversity of Christian beliefs, a true follower of the Lord Jesus may find themselves asking important questions: Which church should we attend to receive proper training? Which Bible teachers should we follow? What Bible studies should we engage in? What theological university programs should we pursue? The apostles of the Lord Jesus were trained for about three years by the Lord Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry. Therefore, should we consider pursuing a university degree in Biblical studies at a well-known university? Meditating on these questions, we find an answer in one of the Lord Jesus’ parables that leads us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be fully trained as a servant of the Lord and to become a true follower of the Lord Jesus. We may choose different paths and earn various degrees in Biblical studies, but ultimately, to become fully trained and be like the Teacher, we must choose the Lord Jesus to be our Master and Teacher (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 16:24).
The Parable of the Blind Guide
In Luke chapter 6, we learn that the Lord Jesus stood on a level place and ministered to large crowds of disciples and people from various regions who had come to Him. While teaching the multitudes, the Lord Jesus shared multiple parables. Specifically, in Luke 6:39-40, we find the parable of the blind guide, which is also referenced in Matthew 15:12-14 in the context of His teachings about the Pharisees of that time. Let us reflect on this parable and draw insights for this blog topic.
Luke 6:39 And He spoke also a parable to them, Can a blind guide a blind? Will not both fall into a ditch?
Comments Luke 6:39. “Can a blind.” Because the Lord wants to use this parable for teaching, it has a deeper meaning: the blind in this place is not the physical eye that is blind, but the spiritual eye of the heart that is blind; it is blind in receiving the beloved Son of God.
“Guide a blind.” When the blind of the spiritual heart meets another heart that is blind, both will walk alongside, and no one can lead anyone.
“Both fall into a ditch.” The ditch in this place is not a hole in the road, but it is a trap from the dark side that they have laid around to trap those who are blind at heart to fall into it. This ditch would be so deep but covered on the surface with many, many flowers to trap the blind at the heart to fall into it.
40 The disciple is not above his teacher; but everyone completely trained will be like his teacher.
Comments Luke 6:40. “The disciple is not above his teacher.” The person who went to the school of the world teaching, teaching the meaning of the Word in the Holy Bible, and the teacher who taught them believes that they are above the God Almighty, who has given them the Holy Bible, and tries to lift themselves up to be above the true teacher, but no student is above the true teacher; the student can be successful but cannot be above the true teacher.
“But everyone completely trained will be like his teacher.” Everyone in this place refers only to the person who comes with a sincere and humble heart to the beloved Son of God. That person will receive the love and the place from the Father, not the same as the beloved Son of God has, but to be below Him. Imagine a platform with levels: the beloved Son of God is at the top, but the rest will be on the levels below Him.
Matthew 15:12 Then came the disciples saying to Him, Do Thou know that the Pharisees were offended, having heard the saying?
13 But He answered saying, Every plant which My Heavenly Father planted not shall be rooted up.
Comments Matthew 15:13. “Every plant which My Heavenly Father planted not shall be rooted up” refers to those souls that have given themselves to the darkness. These are disobedient and misled souls who choose to follow the darkness rather than the light, and this will show through their deeds. But the Lord gives every soul a chance for repentance on this earth through His Word because the Word is the true light, and this is the last chance for every soul. Remember that in the end times, the Word of God will judge them.
14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.
Comments Matthew 15:14. “Blind guides” here refers to Pharisees and scribes. For these days, the blind guides refer to those leaders of the church who do not ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead the people but use human doctrine to guide the house of God astray (see, for example, 2 Peter 3:16).
“The blind leads the blind.” For these days, the blind people who are led refer to the people who come to the church to look for excitement, but not to worship the Lord from their hearts.
“Pit” or “ditch” refers to the palm of the evil one. In the spiritual world, the blind people refer to those souls that choose to follow the fallen angels instead of the true light of God.
Conclusions
In conclusion, it is essential to be fully trained in the Word of God before we can effectively guide others onto the right path. However, we must discern between the light and the dark, recognize that various Biblical schools of thought exist worldwide, and acknowledge that the dark influences many of them. Any true follower of the Lord Jesus must always stay in the Word of God and meditate on it to discern between the things of God and the things of the dark. In all our endeavors on this Earth, we must pray and seek guidance from the Lord, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, in the name of the Lord Jesus. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their actions in front of the Judge, the Lord God Almighty.
Moreover, to become fully trained servants of the Lord Jesus we must start right. First, our foundational faith, the cornerstone of our beliefs, must be solid. Therefore, we must first open our spiritual eyes and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior. We need to solidify our faith by believing what the Bible teaches about the Lord Jesus: that He is the Son of God and the Son of Man and God within the Trinity of God. He was crucified for the sins of the world to bring redemption to all, buried in the tomb, and rose out of the dead on the third day. Ultimately, He will come again to Earth in the glory of His Father. Next, as true followers of the Lord Jesus, we must be baptized in water and seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to receive greater spiritual blessings from God.
Finally, we must fully surrender ourselves to serving the Lord Jesus and ask the Trinity of God, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to bless us and use us in spreading the good news about Him. Without complete surrender to our Lord and Master, we cannot be worthy servants of the Lord.
Our Lord Jesus is now in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. Complete training for serving the Lord can only be attained through the highest Teacher, the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord Jesus sends to all who seek Him. Therefore, to achieve complete training and be prepared for service, a true follower of the Lord Jesus must be baptized in the Holy Spirit and continue to walk in the Holy Spirit for the rest of their lives. The Bible provides many examples of what it means to be true servants of the Lord Jesus. One notable example is the life of the apostle Paul, particularly his conversion, his training under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and his ministry of spreading the good news about the Lord Jesus, as detailed in the book of Acts.
Meditation Tasks
- We encourage all readers to consult our blog articles titled “Who is Our True Teacher,” and “Teachings about how to be a Disciple of the Lord Jesus.”
- We encourage all readers to visit the BCF website to read the Book of Acts and the comments we post.