Thought for Today
Genesis 27:1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see . . .
Psalm 115:5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
Mark 8:18 Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember?
“There are five basic human senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The sensing organs associated with each sense send information to the brain to help us understand and perceive the world around us. However, there are other human senses in addition to the basic five. These lesser-known senses include spatial awareness and balance.” (www.livescience.com)
The theme in These Days this week has been “In Your Light, We See Light.” Yesterday, I visited our optician to give them a new prescription for my glasses. I had cataract surgery on both of my eyes last summer; and, my vision has changed. I had a new prescription shortly following the surgery. When I went for a follow-up visit to my ophthalmologist last week, I was given a new, slightly stronger prescription.
Eyes and seeing have been much on my mind before, during and since my surgery. One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me is a love for reading. It came in handy during my school days and remains a valuable commodity in my ministry. I love to read.
This morning, I began to think about our human senses. If you were required to give up one of those 5 senses or even one of those “lesser-known” senses, which one would you give up? One of the 5, not the ‘senses’ most people have given up, like ‘common,’ or ‘horse’ or even ‘good,’ one of the 5.
Thankfully, few of us will ever be asked to give up touch, sight, hearing, smell or taste. Some of you may have experienced the loss of smell or taste as a result of COVID. I did not, but I can imagine how devastating that would be. I love to eat almost as much as I love to read.
When Jesus spoke about having eyes and not seeing, when he spoke about having ears and not hearing, I believe he was using those words metaphorically. We know that Jesus’ own understanding of his messiahship involved aiding those who were blind, "Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
The deafness and blindness to which Jesus referred is being unable to perceive the gospel good news of God’s love and forgiveness. It is being unable to perceive the truth of John 3:16-17, to fail to understand Ephesians 2:8. Jesus said, "John 8:31 . . . If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Failure to hear and see, to continue in Jesus’ words "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself" is the deafness and blindness Jesus meant.
Will we ever live in a world where all of God’s children hear, see and live out that truth? Some day! We’re not there yet. But, there are signs. As you read about the current disasters and devastations, take careful note of the responses of neighbors for the loss of neighbors. There are countless stories of gallant and heroic actions by first responders, firefighters and law enforcement officers. There are heartwarming stories of volunteer efforts to provide shelter, food and necessities for victims.
Irrespective of whether or not they are aware of the truth of their actions, all of those folks see and all of them hear Jesus’ words and are acting out their love of their neighbors. Despite all of the distractions we see and hear, those acts of gallantry, heroism and compassion are the truth of our world. They are the truth of the love of God. They are ultimately the truth which will make us free.
Stay safe, see, hear, do, trust God,
Pastor Ray