The Necessity of Light

Light is a must for almost all of life. In simplistic understanding, we need it to see where to go, where things are, to see the beauty of life or the faces of our family. The bible speaks of light in many ways and its necessity to us. Here is one of those in Matthew 6:22-23:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

The eye is the window or gateway into our soul. It is the beginning place where things come into our lives. We better beware what "our little eyes" see. We need the light else we will remain in darkness. While that is true, Jesus also says here that the condition of the lens matters greatly. If it is clear then light comes in freely and fills the room. If the lens is dirty, colored, or distorted, then the light stays outside of the room.

The quality of the light of Christ that comes into our heart is totally dependent on the condition of our spiritual eye.

What then is the light that needs to be let into our lives?

Matthew 4:16 "..the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."

John 1:4 "In him was life, and the life was the light of man".

John 8:12 "...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life".

The light is Jesus. That is what we need in our lives more than anything. Knowing Jesus as the light will bring understanding to our life that is in line with Jesus.

Jesus next indicates that the amount of light has a direct influence upon the quality of our spiritual life. If only a little light gets in, then there is little influence Jesus has in our lives, which therefore results in a spiritual life that has no power. The more light , the closer our values will be in line with the values of Jesus. On the flip side, when our values are wrong, then the natural course is more darkness.

How do we best do this, to have more light? Since we have two eyes, why does Jesus say singular "eye". The emphasis is that we must be "single-minded" in our pursuit of the light. We must have one treasure (6:19-21), one light (6:22-23), and one master (6:24). One thing matters and that is the pursuit of the glory of God.

Let's pursue!