Christ the light

Jesus often spoke on the theme of light. In today’s passage, the light refers to Jesus Himself. John 1:9 says, “This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.” The public ministry of Jesus, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist and continuing through the cross, resurrection, and ascension, was never hidden. The Jews of that time witnessed it all, and the disciples of Jesus became witnesses to these things. For the Jews who rejected Jesus, there could be no excuse. Jesus became the lamp placed on the lampstand. Even now, that light shines before us. If someone complains that they cannot see the light, the problem does not lie with God, but it lies with that person.

Healthy eyes that see the light

The body moves freely by the information that comes through the eyes. But when eyesight begins to fail, the movements of the body become awkward. Jesus applied this truth to the eyes of the spirit: “Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness” (Luke 11:34).  In other words, if the eyes of our spirit are healthy, our lives will shine brightly. The word translated as “clear” eye means “an eye that is fixed on one thing” or “a single, undivided eye.” In the Bible, such simplicity of heart, without doublemindedness, is highly esteemed as a praiseworthy quality. In contrast, when one’s heart is drawn away by anything other than God, it is considered spiritual adultery, and such a condition is described as having a “bad eye.” Let us look at some Scripture passages that express the idea of a “clear eye.” Acts 1:14 says, “All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” The picture of being “of one mind, continually devoting themselves to prayer” is the same as having a clear eye. Have you recently felt as though you are not looking at the one thing you should be? Or, even if you are looking, do you feel as though your focus is not clear? If so, pray that God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (ref. Eph. 1:17-19).