Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

— Matthew 15:15

When children are small, they pepper us with questions: Why? Where? How? What does that mean? Although at times this may feel annoying to us, it shows that the children are listening. Peter asked Jesus lots of questions.

As Jesus wrapped up a harsh critique of the people’s religious leaders, who were often more concerned about dietary laws than about how they treated people, Jesus told a brief parable that ended with these words, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter was confused about Jesus’ meaning, so he asked for clarification. And in response Jesus asked, “Don’t you see that what makes you impure is not what you eat but what is in your heart?”

Like faithful Jews of that day, Peter and the other disciples paid close attention to the religious dietary laws of their time. But keeping those laws while letting sin into their hearts would be a terrible mistake, Jesus asserted. He was also pointing ahead to when he would fulfill the law and become the people’s true source of righteousness.

At the risk of embarrassment, Peter was right to ask Jesus for clarification. Traditions and our own understandings can fail us. And when we turn to the Lord for understanding, he will provide what we need to keep our hearts in line with his plan for our lives.

Do you need guidance? Never stop asking Jesus to lead and guide you.

Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your Spirit to lead and guide us as we trust and follow you. Amen.