2 The Lamp of the Body
The next section in the Sermon on the Mount is rather enigmatic; but, since it is sandwiched between two sections about money and materialism, commentators have agreed that it, too, is to do with being single-minded about our loyalty to God. See what you make of it:
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 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! Matthew 6: 22 – 23 [NIV]
The idea seems to be that, like a window, our eyes allow light into our body. With the light we receive we are able to live our lives and make decisions.
The key to understanding the saying seems to be the word translated here as good in verse 22. The original means something more like 'single', but it can also mean 'complete' or 'perfect'. What Jesus seems to be saying is that living our life with a single eye is to lead our lives totally devoted to the service of God.
When we are single-minded about our commitment to God, we will be able to live our lives in ways which are pleasing to him. But if we are not single-minded, then we will stumble around in the darkness.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray -
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free.
I rose, went forth and followed thee. [Charles Wesley]
How single-minded are you in your commitment to God?
Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world, shine on me so that the night of sin and error may be driven away and I may walk without stumbling, as in the day. Amen.
David Long
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