Can You See This?
I think it is biological. I am not sure exactly... maybe it is because Barbara,
my wife (of 25 years, bless her), has blue eyes and I have brown. Maybe it is
because I am nearsighted. I'm not sure.
We sit and stare at a painting of colored blobs and squares which is supposed to
contain a hidden picture of a shark. If stared at long enough, the shark will
suddenly emerge from the colors, so they say. Sure enough, Barbara exclaims. "I
see it!" to which I reply "Where?" She points at a section of the blobs and
says, "There!" I stare as minutes pass. Just once I would like to see one of
those hidden items. I try squinting. I try focusing. I blink my eyes rapidly,
then I try not to blink. No shark. Its not fair. I realize this probably does
not make me eligible for a handicap parking sticker, but it is still frustrating
non the less. I just cannot perceive anything but colored blobs in those
pictures.
But I do perceive something much greater. Not everyone does. Paul wrote, "I pray
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the
hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might..."
(Ephesians 1:18,19). Paul was praying that the Ephesians would perceive the
value of knowing Christ and His rich gifts. He was aware that many have no such
perception. God permits man to close his eyes in stubborn rebellion, and many
are exercising this freedom of choice today. Paul said, "...just as it is
written, 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear
not, Down to this very day.' And David says, 'Let their table become a snare and
a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. Let their eyes be
darkened to see not, And bend their backs forever.'" (Romans 11:8-10).
We are thankful for God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. We are thankful for
the hope, the promises, the blessings, and the peace of God.
Jesus said, "For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes Lest
they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with
their heart and return, And I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes,
because they see; and your ears, because they hear." (Matthew 13:15,16).
Do your eyes perceive the truth?
By Jon W. Quinn
The Front Page
From Expository Files 7.12; December 2000
