THE PROVERBS OF JESUS (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Proverbs are short, pithy statements of truth that are easily remembered.

 

B.   Solomon wrote three thousand of them.

 

C.   However, there are many others found in the pages of God’s Word.

 

D.   Jesus, the Master Teacher, also set forth numerous proverbs in His teachings. 

1.    In last week’s lesson, we looked at five of “The Proverbs of Jesus.”

2.    In this lesson, we want to examine five additional short, but potent, expressions of truth spoke by the Christ.

 

I.             MATTHEW 15:14b

 

…And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

 

A.   These words of Jesus present a laughable picture to our mind’s eye. 

1.    The blind man is trying to find his way.

2.    Another blind man takes his hand, and says: “Let me lead you.”

3.    Within minutes both of them have tumbled headlong into a ditch.

 

B.   The lesson is simple:  “Blind men cannot safely and effectively lead the blind.”

 

C.   The context of this statement is interesting.

1.    Jesus had confronted the scribes and Pharisees about their transgression of God’s commands by their traditions.

2.    The disciples reported to Jesus that the Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ saying.

3.    This proverb is part of Jesus’ response to this report.  Let’s read the whole verse this time (Matt. 15:14).

 

Let them alone:  they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

 

a.    The Pharisees were the Jewish teachers of that time period in Israel’s history.

1)    They were supposed to have seen the truth.

2)    They were also to lead the blind, those without understanding, to the light.

b.    Sadly, the Pharisees were just as blind as those they were teaching.

1)    They were blind to God’s precepts.

2)    They were blind to their sins.

3)    They were blind to their hypocrisy.

4)    They were blind to Old Testament prophecy.

5)    They were blind to the identity of Jesus Christ.

c.    If blind teachers lead blind students, both of them will eventually suffer disaster.

 

D.   The application:

1.    We still have spiritually blind teachers who are trying to direct the steps of spiritually blind students.

a.    Teachers associated with world religions.

b.    Pastors and evangelists associated with man-made denominations.

c.    Professors and scholars in religious institutions.

2.    Blind men cannot safely and effectively lead blind men.

3.    Jesus gives a three-word command regarding how we should respond to blind teachers: “Let them alone.”

a.    If it means giving up that which is popular, so be it.

b.    If it means giving up that which is prosperous, so be it.

c.    If it means giving up that which is powerful, so be it.

d.    NOTE:  It is better to lose these things than to reap the disaster one will experience by following someone who is blind.

 

II.           MATTHEW 19:30

 

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

 

A.   Most human beings have a tendency to desire to be first.  (Ex., watch what happens at potluck meal).

 

B.   Those who are “first” are often treated with both honor and abundance. On the other hand, those who are last are treated with disdain and are forgotten.

 

C.   In the kingdom of God, there is often the reversal of things found in the world.

1.    The first shall be last and the last shall be first.

2.    It is not the proud who are first, but the humble.

It is not the powerful who are first, but the servants.

It is not the warrior who is first, but the little child.

It is not the rich who are first, but orphans and widows.

3.    Example:  When it came time to select apostles, Jesus did not go to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the priests, the scribes, or the lawyers of the day.  He selected twelve lowly men from Galilee to put into the highest office a human can possess in the church.

 

D.   The lesson from the proverb is simple:  The way up is down.

 

III.         MATTHEW 26:52b

 

…for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

 

A.   These words were spoken by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when the Jews came to arrest Him.  Peter immediately drew his sword and smote off the right ear of the servant of the high priest.

 

B.   Jesus commanded Peter to “put up again thy sword into his place.”  Then, He spoke the words of this proverb.

1.    Peter was being bold, but he was not being very smart.

2.    The group of individuals sent to arrest Jesus was quite large. 

3.    A significant fight with these individuals would have resulted in the death of any one of the apostles, including Peter, and, possibly, the Lord.

 

C.   Those who resort to violence will usually see violence brought to bear upon them.

1.    If you start a war, you will get a war.

2.    If you start an argument, you will get an argument.

3.    If you start a fight, you will get a fight.

4.    If you start a riot, you will get a riot.

5.    If you kill with the sword, you, too, will lose your life to a sword.

 

D.   Example:  The wicked Haman

1.    Haman built a gallows hoping Mordecai would be executed thereon.

2.    Instead, Haman was the one found dangling on the end of the rope he purchased for Mordecai (See Eth. 7:10).

 

So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai…

 

IV.         LUKE 6:31

 

And as you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 

A.   This is one of the most familiar proverbs of Jesus. 

1.    Most refer to it as “The Golden Rule.” 

2.    The lesson is simple:  Treat others as you want to be treated.

 

B.   Most people know how they want to be treated.  If they are not treated the way they desire, they will often let you know about it.  However, they often do not want to treat others the way they want to be treated.  They believe they have the right to treat others in whatever manner they desire.

 

C.   Before we say or do something to another person, we need to ask:  “Is this the way I want to be spoken to or treated?”  If not, then were need to change our words and actions.

 

D.   If you want to be treated with respect, treat others with respect.

If you want others to give you positive attention, give them positive attention.

If you want others to care about you, care about them.

If you want others to give you assistance when needed, give them assistance.

 

E.   This same rule can also be applied in the negative.

1.    If I do not want someone lying about me, do not lie about them.

2.    If I do not want someone gossiping about me, do not gossip about them.

3.    If I do not want someone yelling at me, do not yell at them.

4.    If I do not want embarrassing me, do not embarrass them.

 

V.           JOHN 15:13

 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

A.   There are many ways to manifest love to others:  words, cards, gifts, kindness, the sacrifice of time, etc.

 

B.   However, the ultimate display of love is for one to lay down his life for his friends.

 

C.   It is easy to say we would lay down our lives for someone.  It is much more difficult to actually sacrifice our life when the time to do it actually comes.

1.    Life is precious.

2.    We only have one life to live.

3.    Once it is given, there is no coming back.

 

D.   These eleven men to whom Jesus addressed these words were His friends.  And, Jesus knew that soon He would be giving His life on their behalf.

1.    When did these men come to fully understand the love Jesus showed for them on Calvary?

2.    Question:  Have each of us come to fully understand the love Jesus manifested for us on the cross?

 

E.   If we affirm that we understand God’s love, then let’s put that understanding to the test (1 John 3:16).

 

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:  and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In two lessons, we have looked at ten proverbs of Jesus.

 

B.   Most of us may not know where they are found in the Biblical text, but we can quote them from memory.  This is part of their design.

 

C.   Quoting them, however, is not enough.  We need to put these aspects of truth into practice in our daily lives.

1.    Don’t follow blind guides.

2.    Be satisfied with being last.

3.    Don’t live by the sword.

4.    Treat others as you want to be treated.

5.    Show love to others, even if this means dying for them.

 

D.   Aren’t we glad Jesus was willing to die for us, even when we were not His friends?