What Jesus Did! 'Miss the Ditch!' — Matthew 15:12-14

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?"

Jesus replied, "Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch."

— Matthew 15:12-14 NLT

Key Thought

The powerful implication of these words of Jesus for his followers is immense. The Pharisees were regarded as the most righteous of all people in Jesus' day. They believed in resurrection and reward from God for those who adopted their form of righteousness. Because of the Pharisees' reputation and power, the disciples were worried that Jesus would alienate them - and he did alienate them, so much so that many of them actually hated Jesus, regarded him as their enemy, and sought to kill him (Matthew 12:14). But Jesus' words remind us of one essential truth: If it is not from God, it won't last! In fact, if something pretends to be from God, but isn't, it will lead to disaster.

In a world of political correctness, multi-culturalism, and pluralism, it is easy to extend respect for the people of a different culture into an acceptance of that culture's false religious beliefs and practices. In Matthew, Jesus demands that we come to him for truth and reject ANY religion that promotes traditions and appearances - merely external and formal rituals - at the expense of inner purity and true transformation from God.

Today's Prayer

Righteous and holy Father, please help me discern false religions and false teachers, no matter how popular or powerful. I want to have a pure heart, transformed by your grace and obedient to your will. Forgive me of my sin and create in me a pure heart, humble and obedient to your will. Please help me exhibit this purity in my speech, my attitude, my thoughts, my motives, and my actions. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 2:6-10
  • Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44
  • Matthew 7:24-28

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 15:12-14 NLT — "Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Thrill Me!' (Ps. 92:4-5)
"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Taking Hold of Eternal Life' (1 Ti. 6:12-15)
"Dear Father, Lord of all lords, Enable me to take hold of the eternal life to which I was called when I made the good confession before many..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Testing the Purity of Our Hearts' (De. 13:1-3)
"Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Strengthening Existing Churches' (Acts 16:1-5)
"Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!