A Good Eye
In scripture, there are occurrences where the Lord grants eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand (Deuteronomy 29:4, Matthew 13:16, Acts 28:26-27). This excerpt will focus on our sight. To see with eyes given by the Lord is to see the world through the lens of His Word. Not only does it mean that we see the battlegrounds of spiritual warfare happening all around us in our lives, the lives of others, and our leadership, it means we see the movement of God in our lives and the world around us.
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear." – Matthew 13:16
Sight allows us to bear witness to the Lord’s glory (John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 3:18). By knowing the Word of God, by the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, we are able to see and recognize various fluctuations in the world where we know God has made a move (Psalm 118:23, Isaiah 43:19). Some are quick to say that things are a mere coincidence, a hoax, or come up with a way to rationalize something that is inconceivable to their worldview. I, for one, believe in miracles today. I know God to do such things not only because the Word of God and His works (John 20:30-31), but I have been a witness to others receiving as such from Him. Even in my own life I have been blessed to receive a multitude of miracles. However, it is eyes to see that enable me to recognize them as such that I may glorify God (Psalm 126:3).
So is it just mere coincidence that these fluctuations or interventions that seem to fit just perfectly happen all around us, all the time? I challenge anyone to go a day and notice every single little good thing that happened. Everything that seemed to happen just right. Then ask yourself, “Was that God?” The more we practice these thoughts, the more we realize how close God really is in our lives.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." – James 1:17
Eyes to see is not dependent upon our physical vision, but upon our spiritual application of the Word to the world around us (2 Corinthians 4:18). There is no disconnect between the Word of God and what we see in the world today. The Word gives teachings to help us to better understand what is happening around us and what we should do as followers of Jesus (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
There was a Jewish idiom at the time of Jesus where one would compliment another by saying they had a “ayin tovah”, עֵין טוֹבָה, (a good eye) in Hebrew. This title or compliment would be given to those who had an eye to help those in need and were especially generous in their giving. When Jesus in Matthew 6:22 says, "If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be filled with light," He is using an idiom that might connect with the Jewish people to be generous in their giving to the poor. This is a direct applicable example of what it means to have eyes to see, as those with eyes to see are to see the areas in which would most glorify God (Proverbs 19:17). Giving generously is one area in which pleases the Lord, and it is shown as such through scripture.
"He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor." – Proverbs 22:9
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Jesus in His death led to the tearing of the temple veil (Mark 15:38). In the Jewish temple, the veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, where God’s presence dwelt (Exodus 26:33). The veil was a representation of the separation between God and humanity due to sin (Isaiah 59:2).
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;" – Matthew 27:50-52
With the veil now torn through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are no longer separated from God due to sin, so long as we go through Jesus who is the new veil (Hebrews 10:19-20).
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body." – Hebrews 10:19-20
When we think of the new veil and how we are to see the world through the lens of scripture, the Word of God, and through Jesus, we begin to see others through this new lens (Colossians 3:12). To see others through the lens of Jesus means to see with compassion, love, kindness, and hope, not towards oneself but for others to also come to the new veil as well (1 John 4:7). We, with these new eyes to see, are given this opportunity to understand more about God, His love for His people, and for His ultimate glory.
What areas do you see a need for God’s people to go? Does the thought of these people you may be thinking of break your heart in where they are at now? Would they better know Jesus if someone told them about Him and gave them love and hope? Maybe you have been given the eyes to see this need, because maybe you’ve been tasked to go.