“With the Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened…!” In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds his readers about all the hope we as Christians have. This week is Ascension week in the church. It is that time right before the season of Pentecost when Jesus ascended into heaven to be at the right hand of God. Before doing that, Jesus equipped his followers in every way possible so they might have hope when he was no longer around. The problem was that the followers were not having some of the equipping Jesus was offering. We are much the same in that while there are those among us to equip us, we often refuse this kind of help. Let’s explore what it means to have the “eyes of our hearts enlightened” as we move through the passages this week.
Monday, June 6 -
The good doctor, Luke, addresses “Theophilus” in his opening lines of the Book of Acts. While Theophilus was a real person in early biblical history, most scholars assume that Luke is writing the pronoun as an intimate way of addressing the church as “friends of God.” Luke refers to the first book he wrote which we know to be the Gospel of Luke. If we want the eyes of our hearts enlightened we must be in the scriptures to learn what they have to offer us on a daily basis. Let’s remember today that ONLY God can enlighten the eyes of our hearts!
Tuesday, June 7 -
The “eyes of our hearts” are certainly different than the eyes in our heads. When Jesus gave his followers the “promise of God” they were forgetting about their hearts and thinking only with their heads. We, like those followers, tend to jump to wanting to know exactly what the plans are. Jesus gently reminded them that only God knows such things. Ours is to HOPE! Think today about the hopes you’ve had over the years. Remember how good they were when they came to fruition!
Wednesday, June 8 -
Paul tells the church at Ephesus that he had heard of their faith in Jesus and their love for all the saints. When is the last time someone has said that they had heard of your faith or knew of your love for the saints? On the other hand, when was the last time YOU complimented someone you know on those same things? I think the eyes of our hearts are enlightened by witnessing the people who cross our paths; the people of great faith and love for our great God! These people not only have a great love for the saints of God, they are becoming saints themselves!
Thursday, June 9 -
When Jesus was about to ascend into heaven we are told that he “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” He had been with them for a number of months. He had done some great ministry during that time. Yet, just before departing into heaven, he reminded them of all the good God had in store for them. When Jesus taught (opening their minds) it was as though he was enlightening the eyes of their hearts at the same time. Jesus’ teaching always has a way of challenging my mind; while at the same time opening the eyes of my heart at the same time. Think today about the ways God both enlightens the eyes of your heart and opens your mind.
Friday, June 10 -
When Jesus was ready to make his final departure from the disciples he told them that the promise of God would come upon them like clothes from God. That, for me, is a good way to think about how the power of the Holy spirit envelopes us. When God fulfills God’s promise in that way we are assured that the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened at the same time. Think back to a time when you felt very alone for some reason. Think to a time when one of your friends seemed very alone. Did you feel clothed with that power from on high that Jesus spoke of? That’s why we are careful to add people to our prayer chains when they need us most. It’s so they will know that feeling of being clothed with the Holy Spirit of God!