Declare This Parable - Matthew 15:15

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew shares how Peter said, “declare unto us this parable” where we read:

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

The verse reads, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “then answered” which means “at that moment and time spoke and responded” “Peter” or “one of the apostles whose name means a rock or a stone” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which refers to “Jesus”. Matthew shared how the apostle Peter responded to Jesus' statement about the “blind leading the blind”.

The verse continues, “... Declare unto us this parable.” Matthew added the word, “declare” which means “indicate plainly, make known, and explain” “unto us” which means “to the disciples of Jesus” “this parable” which refers to “this narrative which is fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed and is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”. Matthew shared how Peter wanted Jesus to explain the meaning of the “blind leading the blind”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see the disciples desire to know what Jesus was telling them about the Pharisees. They heard Jesus say the Pharisees were “blind”, but Peter wanted further explanation as to what this meant. God desires to have an intimate personal relationship with every person, and although He does not reveal everything to people, He is willing to share those things of the Kingdom which He deems necessary. Peter's question should inspire us to “ask of God who gives to all men liberally”, and when He provides an answer, let us be certain to listen and obey what He says through His Son Jesus.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus answered Peter, “Are you also yet without understanding?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.