In spite of all our advancements, we have never come close to duplicating the marvels found in the human body. Consider the eye. It has the ability to distinguish colors and various shades of life. It has the ability to focus on objects close at hand or far away. It automatically adjusts for light, either reducing the glare or adjusting low-light conditions. The psalmist was correct when he said that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14).
The eye also possesses tremendous spiritual significance. Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Mt. 6:22).
Christians must maintain good spiritual vision. Without it, hope vanishes and we will abide in darkness. But, Jesus came as “the Sunrise from on high…to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk. 1:78-79).
The first requirement for good spiritual vision is the acknowledgement that there is a truth to be understood. “The lamp of the body is the eye…” (Mt. 6:22). The eye is the receptacle through which light enters the body. When the eye functions properly, we are able to avoid needless injury.
But, Jesus had more in mind than physical vision. He often used eyesight as an analogy for perception and understanding. He commended His disciples, saying, “blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear” (Mt. 13:16). Jesus had just explained that His reason for speaking in parables was because some could see but not see and hear but not understand (vs. 13). The eye, then, represents our capacity to understand and receive guidance.
In preaching the truth, we seek to open eyes to the glory of Christ (cf. Acts 26:18). Obeying the gospel is an “eye-opening” experience. In fact, early Christians were sometimes referred to as those who had been enlightened (Hb. 6:4). The opening chapter of the gospel of John describes Jesus as “the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man”
(Jn. 1:9). We, too, seek to be a light to the world, glorifying God in the things we do (Mt. 5:14, 16). In this way, we may open another’s eyes to the glory of God.