A Life of Pursuing Change
Scripture: Luke 6:39 – 45
Jesus often spoke in parables because they were easier to understand. However, just because a parable is simple does not mean that everyone will fully grasp its meaning. Jesus used examples like the blind, trees, and fruit, but if we do not connect these to our own lives, they are meaningless.
What we need to prepare is a clean, white robe—the wedding garment for the heavenly banquet. This represents true transformation into a holy life. Easter is approaching soon. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, we need to live a life that seeks change. Like a worm crawling on the ground that later becomes a butterfly soaring through the sky, we, too, must experience transformation.
Through the parables that Jesus told, I sincerely pray that we will all gain such hope. Today, I will deliver the sermon by intertwining scripture and message, as the parables are connected to each other.
The Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind
39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?”
Jesus used the example of a blind person in His parable. Parables help make things easier to understand, but we need to recognize what Jesus is illustrating, why He used the parable, and what we need to learn from it.
Why did Jesus use this parable? What message was He trying to convey?
Jesus asked whether a blind person could lead another blind person. He used this relationship as an example to show that there are situations where no one can help. If one person cannot see and the other cannot walk, they can still support each other. However, if both are blind, neither can guide the other. They cannot help each other, and they cannot lead or show the way.
Who should we follow? If someone believes they do not need Jesus, they do not need to be here. Those who think they are righteous and complete on their own do not see their need for Jesus.
Someone who does not understand something cannot teach others. Even if there are 100, 1,000, or 10,000 such people together, they may feel a sense of belonging and security, but they can still be led in the wrong direction.
A large church or a big crowd does not necessarily mean they are on the right path. If they are all spiritually blind, it is pointless, because the blind cannot lead the blind.
This parable refers to the relationship between a disciple and a teacher. If a disciple follows a knowledgeable teacher, that is good. But if a disciple follows a teacher who does not truly understand, then both will be misled.
Even outside the teacher-student relationship, people try to guide, correct, and teach one another. Friends and siblings do this as well. However, to teach or guide, one must first have true understanding.
In verse 41, Jesus gave another parable about the relationship between brothers. He spoke about how one sees the speck in another’s eye but does not notice the log in their own eye. Jesus explained this in even greater detail.
Seeing the Speck but Ignoring the Log
41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
In this parable, Jesus used “dust (speck)” and a “log” as symbols. The speck represents a small fault in someone else, while the log represents a much bigger issue in ourselves. The difference between them is enormous. One is so small that it requires a microscope to see, while the other is large enough for anyone to notice.
Ironically, it is easier to see the speck in someone else’s eye than to recognize the log in our own. Jesus wants us to examine our own hearts and recognize the major faults within us. If we take a moment to reflect, we will see them clearly.
42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
Jesus’ tone becomes stronger here. He calls those who ignore their own flaws while pointing out others’ faults hypocrites. Hypocrisy means pretending to be righteous on the outside while being corrupt inside. In another passage, Jesus even called such people “whitewashed tombs.”
Sometimes, people focus on pointing out others’ flaws to hide their own sins. However, following such teachers—those who are hypocritical—is dangerous. But what if that hypocrite is “ourselves”? If that is the case, we must repent.
Does a blind person know they are blind? There are two kinds of blind people—those who do not realize they are blind and those who do. The latter seek guidance and truth, and these are the true disciples.
Jesus also spoke of 99 righteous sheep and one lost sheep, as well as 99 who think they are already good and one who seeks the right path. Finding the right teacher is difficult because many do not know who to follow. That is why Jesus gave us a simple way to distinguish good teachers from bad ones.
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,
Jesus compared teachers to trees and their actions to fruit. Even if we cannot tell if a tree is good just by looking at it, we can determine it by its fruit.
A tree and its fruit are connected. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. We may believe that someone is a good teacher, but if their actions produce bad results, then we must question our belief.
Many religious leaders at that time, like the Pharisees and scribes, constantly criticized Jesus. They looked for the smallest faults in everything He did. Were they producing good fruit? Or were they producing bad fruit?
We need to look at the fruits of those we follow. Likewise, we need to examine our own fruit. Are we truly following the teachings of our Master?
To be fully trained, we must actively put in effort. Faith is not just about believing—it requires action. Salvation through faith does not mean that good fruits will appear automatically. Resurrection does not come without the cross.
If a student refuses to study but expects to get a perfect score, that is cheating. If a teacher tells students they will pass even if they do nothing, that is a false teaching. Similarly, believing in Jesus is not just about saying we believe. We must act according to His teachings.
Even a good tree must bear fruit. If it does not, it is useless. We must examine ourselves—do we claim to follow Jesus but live in a way that produces bad fruit?
44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.
This truth is so obvious. But in verse 45, Jesus finally explains why He used this parable.
45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Our true teacher is Jesus. The one we must follow is Jesus and His cross. He is the good tree. We have already seen the good fruit He has produced. Now, it is our turn. We must bear the fruit of the cross.
We must dedicate our whole body and heart to following Jesus. If our body is in the church but our heart follows the world, what kind of fruit will we bear?
Romans 12:1-2 says:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
May God, through the tree of the cross and through those who follow it, produce abundant fruit of righteousness in our lives.
I sincerely pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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