The Sight of the Inward Eye

"Faith is the sight of the inward eye."  - Alexander MacLaren

Sight is a miraculous thing! It allows us to view all the beauty and wonder in God's creation. Unquestionably, it is our window to the world, and some say even to our soul.

Yet even with sight, many have trouble seeing, and it's not what you might think. One can have 20/20 vision, yet still not have the ability to see. The problem is being able to see with eyes of faith.

Mark 8:22-26 recounts Jesus healing a blind man at Bethsaida, a place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Upon arriving there, the disciples were met by friends of the blind man who pleaded for Jesus to touch him.

This blind man, however, showed none of the hopeful urgency that was displayed by another blind man who sought Jesus' help in John 9:1-12. He was brought to Christ by his friends and not of his own accord. 

It was the genuine faith of his friends that caught the attention of Jesus; the keyword being faith. I have spoken to quite a few people who tell me that they have trouble seeing Christ in anything (Isaiah 5:21).

Most of us have graciously been provided with the gift of sight, yet are as blind as the man at Bethsaida. Spiritual blindness has nothing to do with vision of the eyes, but instead being able to see with our hearts.

And while Jesus healed his eyes and restored his vision, it had nothing to do with the blind man's lack of faith. It was because of the complete faith in Jesus that was displayed by his friends that made it all possible.

We sometimes rely too much on our physical attributes to save us. As we have seen, spiritual blindness has nothing to do with our eyesight. Jesus could be standing right in front of us but can't be seen. He is seen not through our eyes, but through our hearts. 

It is our faith and belief in him that allows us to see him. It is knowing what he did for us (John 3:16), and what he can do for us that lifts the veil of spiritual blindness from our hearts, allowing us to see Him in his full, heavenly glory.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 146:8; Job 34:21; John 12:40

Prayer: Dear Lord, open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law, amen.  - Psalm 119:18

God bless you,

Lauren