Light Look
Matthew 6:22-23 “The
eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be
full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of
darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
JESUS continues his sermon with an emphasis on your eyes. He
has been speaking against the adulterous eye, the self-focused prayers and the
covetous desires for more material wealth. His intention through this part of
his Sermon on the Mount is to preach that he is only one worthy of your focus.
The metaphor here
of the eye functioning as the lamp of the body relates to the single oil lamp
of the typical Jewish household. One could only see what was in the room when
he pointed the lamp in a particular direction. He could, for example, keep his
lamp shining on a wooden idol in his home, or he could keep his lamp shining on
the Word of God written on his doorposts. (Deuteronomy 6:9). A man of the
household could point to Satan’s corruption, or he could point to God’s
salvation. He couldn’t see both.
Loving his own, Jesus
preaches to his people to keep their eyes on him. When he said in another
teaching, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus emphasized the
great difference between himself and evil. Focusing your eyes, the body’s lamp,
away from Jesus will fill your soul with darkness. Focusing your eyes to the
Son of God will fill your soul with Jesus, the light of the world.
LIFE Link: Look at the morning light and see Jesus’ love
rising over you.
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