We're All... Ignorant

 

An honest person who studies the Bible should readily admit that much of what we read, we filter through our own limited (and often ignorant) understanding. In today’s text, Messiah is giving his talmidim a warning to be careful how they regard the teachings of the leaders, from their Talmudic traditions. As was sometimes the case, they completely missed the entire point of what Messiah was saying. We see a similar confusion with Peter, in the Book of Acts. He is told to “kill and eat” unclean animals and was “perplexed in mind” until he patiently waited to receive proper understanding that the vision was not about animals and food at all, but rather men. (Acts 10:28) We are no different. We will not always have instant clarity and correct understanding towards a matter - even one that The Most High or the Son may speak. Even the proper role of Holy Spirit, confirming what both the Father and the Son have spoken, may be errantly heard and misapplied. It’s OK. As long as we keep listening. As long as we stay close to the Messiah and listen to His correction, as His students did here. In verse 12 we see what was spoken make sense. “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Sometimes it takes repeating. Sometimes we must read and reread. Sometimes we’re just ignorant and wrong. I want to be like this. Seated by Messiah and listening for understanding. Even if I think it’s all merely about a meager loaf of bread. Selah.