Mathew writes, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.”

Luke writes, “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when your eye is single, your whole body also is full of light; but when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.”

How we see things is important. If our vision is distorted, we may easily interpret events badly. How could our vision be distorted? We are speaking now about our attitude.

You see someone doing something. If you don’t trust that person, you might think they are up to no good. But the same thing done by someone you like and trust may seem fine to you. They probably have permission, you think, and are not stealing that item. You might stop the first person and question them about what they are taking. They said you could, huh. No doubt, a lie, you think.

Jesus speaks of ‘the eye’. He doesn’t say ‘eyes’. From this we know he is speaking of something other than simple vision. Also, he tends to speak in spiritual terms while using common examples. The eye is the internal eye. The light is the understanding, through which the soul sees things. What might distort this?

Well, let’s take it in the context of other statements. Judge not, unless you want to be judged.

In the story of Alice in Wonderland, soon after meeting Alice, the Mad Hatter says to Alice, “Your hair wants cutting.” “You should learn not to make personal remarks,” Alice said with some severity; “it’s very rude.” Later in the conversation, Alice says to the Hatter, “Nobody asked your opinion.” “Who’s making personal remarks now?” the Hatter asked triumphantly.

We laugh at this because we do the same thing. We watch someone’s behavior who has corrected us to see if they are consistent in this matter. This is the exact meaning of the “Judge not..” statement.

So, a judgmental attitude hurts a relationship. Also, an “eye” which is evil distorts your view of life. Do we want our internal life filled with light? If so, our eye must become good. It must be clear or “single” as Luke says. Let’s quickly look at an event. Jesus healed a man’s eyes. He could see clearly but he could not interpret what he saw correctly. He said, “Men look like trees walking.” Jesus touches him again and he can understand what he sees.

We spend our early days connecting our vision to people and things. We understand that the movement of animals is different that the movement of a battery-operated toy. But here is a step further: We accumulate experiences that may teach us that few people can be trusted. Can we trust a God who is invisible? How can we obtain this clear vision?

Clear vision comes from God. It is maintained by trust in God. Only if we believe God is looking out for us can we relax our guard and see things as they are. We can live with the Spirit of God informing us of danger or leading us to truth. This is much different that taking all the responsibility ourselves which is our natural condition.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

This means to look beyond what your eye sees. Righteous judgement can only be made with the clear view that Jesus had. Having your “body full of light” means there are no hidden places, no shadows. No suspicions of evil yet never deceived by it. What can lead us to this?

A view soaked in love. Love knows there is evil in the world and those who do it everyday. But this love believes ‘all things’. It believes God is above evil. He is all good and powerful and wise. This is part of the attitude that sees clearly. This loving God cares for his own and protects them.

How is this eye ‘single’? It sees all in one look. It never forgets God in its looking at life. It drops the focus on evil and sees God behind the scene, doing good and believing the best about us. He is the wonder parent that makes no mistakes. He sees us correcting our mistakes, confessing our wrongs and improving in our time here.

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There are times when we sense there is something behind nature. The term Mother Nature becomes a good expression for the feeling we hold for that moment. But other aspects remind us that nature can be cruel.

But what if it is not nature that wants to be cruel? What if nature desires to mother us? Sadly, she is held back. By what? When did nature begin to change?

There was a time described where animal and tree were at peace with humans. This was when a man named the animals as they came before him and received their name. Trees were glad to produce their fruit to be eaten by humans. How long did this last? Long enough to sink deeply into the soul of man.

After man and woman made their choice to live apart from God (a sad day, indeed), nature began to change. The earth produced weeds and the roses grew thorns. The animals also began to change until they were violent towards men. They had no fear of men at that time.

It says all were corrupted, both man and beast. There are no details given. But a new beginning took place where a few people and select animals were saved in a boat, an ark. The earth has maybe one hundred years to go as Noah and sons build this massive boat.

Everyone knew of this crazed endeavor of Noah. No one believed the boat would be needed. But Noah was inside when it started to rain like it never had before. Both men and beasts were washed from the land.

We don’t know when this took place. Five thousand years ago? Fifty thousand? No one knows. But nature was restrained somewhat after this in that wild animals avoided men. But the basic conflict between men and nature remained. Cultivating land was still work.

So nature did not turn evil. Man took independence from God and was divorced from nature. Then nature became like the man, undirected. It resisted the work of men, yes, but eventually complied and grew the needed food.

Nature waits for men to become what they were supposed to be. That day will come when harmony between nature and people is restored but only to the children of God.

Romans 8:19, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”

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Some people read the bible and think, “Why is Jesus so different from God in the older parts of the Bible?” I had the same thought for many years. We could put this question as – Why doesn’t God behave like I think he should behave?

The problem is that we don’t understand God. We assume that God’s actions should be understandable. They should make sense to us. But sometimes even our friends act in strange ways and we are not sure why they act like that.

Let us look at the first thing God did. “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.” Now, what exactly does that mean? I don’t know. Light wasn’t. Then it was, because God said it. Let’s take an easier question: What is light? We have had light for, let’s say, 20,000 years. That is enough time for us to figure out what light is, don’t you think?

Well, it travels fast. Like about 186,000 miles per second. It heats things when it hits them. Light consists of photons. Now we are getting somewhere. So these photons are particles, right? Maybe. One guys says particles but the other says, no, it’s waves. Now, it is said that sometimes light behaves like particles: other times, it behaves like waves.

When you ask about the colors of light, they give you a prism and you hold it up and it splits white light into a rainbow. Ooh. I can see violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Don’t forget indigo, they say. Each color is a different wavelength, they say. Wow.

In 1950, a machine was made that intensified light beams called laser beams. These were useful. You could put them in a laser pointer and drive your cat crazy. You could also do laser surgery with them instead of a scalpel. So, we have been able to do amazing things with light without really knowing what it is. Then someone pipes up and says, “That is just visible light.” What do you mean? “There are other kinds, you know, like x-rays, ultraviolet rays, infrared, microwaves and even radio waves. You can’t see any of those.”

Now we have microwave cooking and UV filters in our sunglasses. We know so much about how these waves behave, we can use them for many things. Yet, while we know how light behaves, we still don’t know what light is besides calling it electromagnetic radiation.

My point is this: if we can’t really understand the first thing God created, light, how can we understand the Creator? I am glad we don’t have to understand him. He is not like us in the sense that he is completely good. We are not very good in comparison. He is powerful enough to effect change within people, yet he refuses to force people into doing good. Let’s say we now believe that God is good, powerful and wise. Is that enough? Not a chance. This powerful, good and wise being may want nothing to do with us. Maybe he would remain aloof to our plight as fallen creatures.

The Apostle John wrote that God is Love. He cares much about men and women and wants to help them. He is willing to overlook our messed up situation and move us forward in his plan. Most people like his willingness to forgive them. Some call his plan redemption or salvation. But rather than a return to our original state, like Adam and Eve, he wants to make us better than that.

He will only accept our voluntary involvement in his plan. Jesus said something like this: we think we are free but we are not really all that free. Your God-given freedom will become much more real. If the Son of God sets you free, you will be free indeed.

So, we have a God who loves the people he created. He has a plan to make us to what he had in mind for us. Our cooperation is a must. Can you believe that he is preparing us for a great future? He will create a new earth where goodness can live without restraint. Do you dare to follow his Son, Jesus? He calls you now. He desires your company.

If anyone follows me, he must become as I was in the world. Look at Me and see if it’s worth it. I have finished my course and now you can begin your new life on earth. Follow my path and you will surely end up with me in my kingdom.

Jesus was what a man was supposed to be. And he was in the same situation as you and I. He took no special privilege as the Son of God. He embraced his humanity and began reaching out to all people. And now he is calling you to himself. Why? So he can make you into the best you possible.

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Let’s talk about doing good. Can we? It was written that Jesus went about doing good. He made it very clear that everything he did was the will of God. This idea of the will of God may surprise you. Isn’t everything the will of God?

This seems to confuse some people. Why does God allow evil to be done? He could stop it. He certainly has the power to do so. It says that in the future he will stop all evil actions from being done by any creature to any other creature. The lion will lie down with the lamb and not in its stomach. Satan will be bound and held from any activity.

So we know that God can and will deal with all evil and it will be stopped forever. But who will then do good? Good angels will do good. But what about people? Those that do good now will do more in the future. What do we need to do to become these do-gooders?

Selfishness is our problem. What if you think that something is good for you? But this same act is bad for another. Let us take an example: Someone is accused of something bad. You know it is not true. Should you speak up? You remain silent. The person is punished.

Jesus revealed a different kind of behavior. Doing good even at your own expense. This is the opposite of our natural state. But this is the great plan of God for people: to change their human nature to all good.

Where do we begin? We are told to begin with repentance. I don’t think so. The disciples did not begin that way. They began with the attraction of Jesus. He shocked them over and over with his unselfish behavior. Peter had a moment where he said to Jesus that he was nothing like Jesus and that they had nothing in common. But Jesus said to him, we will work together to change the world. This is not a direct quote, by the way.

Jesus draws all people to himself. The first who heard the message on Pentecost were cut to the heart. Many were drawn that day. Thousands.

Jesus draws you now. He draws you to follow his path. He will care for you forever but now is the time for us to begin doing good, the same way as Jesus did. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came down upon him. Jesus needed the Holy Spirit? Yes. How much more do we need the Holy Spirit? This is great gift of God to people. Ask God for his Spirit. Or ask to be filled with the Spirit of God if you have received from God already. Learn to love the will of God like Jesus did. Glory awaits those who follow his path.

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The mysterious box called the Ark of the Covenant held several items. One was a bowl of manna. In Revelation, we find Jesus referring to the Hidden Manna. He says he will give you some of the hidden manna. My question is this: how is it hidden?

The Ark was a strange box that was carried around in the desert by the descendants of Israel and was finally placed in the temple built in Jerusalem. The top of this box was called The Mercy Seat. Once a year, during a special ceremony, lamb’s blood was put on this Mercy Seat.

So the hidden manna was covered in mercy. We found Jesus to say that his food was to do the will of God. I offer that the reason the will of God may be hidden from us is because it is wrapped in mercy. We can recognize justice easily enough. Is justice, also, the will of God? Of course, it is.

But mercy is what God is really all about! We are called to act justly but we are called to love mercy. The will of God is wrapped in mercy. It is hidden in mercy. Do you find the will of God difficult to discern? Look at his mercy and you will discover his will.

What does this mean? If we would find the will of God, we will move in mercy toward others. By doing this, by having mercy on people, we act with God toward them. He is always being merciful toward each person. But sometimes, too often, we will not receive his mercy.

How do we receive mercy? By lowering ourselves. If you hold yourself high, usually in pride, you cannot receive mercy because mercy flows to the lowly in heart.

And mercy only flows through those who are lowly in heart because they have received mercy. Now they are able to show mercy to others. Jesus said that he himself was lowly in heart.

And so we may miss doing the will of God. We are quite willing to join in calling for justice. We are willing to point out the faults of others. But mercy?

I have seen two people in my life than showed mercy. They did so in the worst of circumstances. One was in Detroit. He had a small mission outreach that helped children. These children were either neglected or from very poor families. He had what he called his breakfast club. He would provide breakfast food for children in the mornings. He did much more than this but that part really touched me.

Another person went to Beijing, China and began to help young people who had fallen out of the system. She helped them get a place to stay and to get some work. They were done with education for whatever reason. She also created a shop than made bread and cakes. It eventually became a café and the kids were the workers.

These two people showed mercy to those who needed it. They did it without any fanfare or expectation of recognition. They were eating the hidden manna and found it very satisfying.

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The mysterious box called the Ark of the Covenant was carried around in the desert by the descendants of Israel and was finally placed in the temple, built in Jerusalem. There were several things inside.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus says than we will be given some of the hidden manna. He is referring to a bowl of manna that was inside the Ark of the Covenant. But my question is this: How is it hidden?

This manna was food given by God. It was given when there was no other food to be found. And it was given faithfully every day by God.

So how would we eat the hidden manna? When Jesus was asked if he wanted some food that the disciples had obtained, he said, “I have food you don’t know about.” What did he mean by that? As we read the story, we see he was talking to a woman who was amazed by what Jesus had told her. Jesus found it very satisfying. Jesus found doing the will of his Father to be as satisfying as eating food.

Now, are we interested in eating the hidden manna? Eating the hidden manna is doing the will of God. And how is it hidden? It is hidden to those who are satisfied with other food.

Are you satisfied with your life? That is fine, but you won’t discover the hidden manna because you are already full. “That hidden manna sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out sometime.” But only when you are dissatisfied with your present food will you desire a better kind.

What do you think the will of God is for you? Maybe you don’t know but are pretty sure you won’t like it. It’s easy to think that. People tell us of a strict God who will have perfection only. But let’s look back at the story. Jesus spoke to a woman. But what a woman! She was obviously a Samaritan. Common wisdom said best stay away from those people. And since when was it proper to talk to strange women? Jesus had to step past local social boundaries to do this.

So, we find doing the will of God may involve getting out of our ‘comfort zone’. But many of us have such small comfort zones anyway. “But someone could get the wrong idea!” But Jesus has the right idea and he leads this woman with a bad history to hope for a new life.

Are you happy with what you were told would satisfy your heart? You will discover that those things are not able to feed your soul. If we reach out for the hidden manna, we will find real food to satisfy our appetite for life.

Think again of those in the desert so long ago. They saw nothing to eat around them. Then God could give them this wonderful food they called manna. As long as they desired something else, they would be unhappy. But when they ate the manna, they found it satisfying.

Finding the Hidden Manna

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How many close friends do you have? I have trouble sitting at a table with three others and balancing my interest in the various viewpoints. I’m glad God is not like this at all.

He can maintain an unlimited number of personal intimate relationships at the same time. And why is this? Because they are not ‘at the same time’ to him. In the beginning, God created… So time and place came into being together. And before that, there was no Time. But there is Time now. But God is not subject to time since time is a subject of his and nothing God has made is ever outside his power and authority.

Do you think the world has gotten away from him? Has this world, full of so many people, slipped beyond his control? Some think so. But it is not true. Why doesn’t he stop bad people? He will stop all bad behavior in the future but He has made men responsible for all their actions and will exact an accounting from each of us for our time spent on earth.

But this great God who is not held back by time and space, has sometimes intervened. This may help us to understand several incidents recorded in the Bible.

• Enoch disappears from time and space. It says, “he was not, for God took him”.
• The creation may have run over eons. There were no humans to measure the time. It says “day” but had that word been defined? Yes, it came to mean 24 hours but try to keep track if you fly east or west through several time zones.
• Moses held up his hands and that day lasted several hours more.
• Hezekiah saw the shadow go back up the stairs.
• Phillip moved instantly from a desert oasis to a city.

But Jesus was subject to time and space for thirty some years. Yet it says, “And no man has ascended up into heaven, but he that came down from heaven, the son of man who is in heaven.” John 3:13 Many have tried to explain this passage. “It can’t possibly mean what it says!”

And why not? Jesus cannot exist in two dimensions at once? Are angels no longer ‘in heaven’ when they appear on earth? Where is the line? He could be present on earth and also be ‘in heaven’ where there is no time. We know there is no time in the heavenly realm because the angels do not age. There is really no problem to be solved here.

Jesus says he is not like others in that he came from heaven. He also returned to heaven. But before he did, he demonstrated that his body was not limited by time and space. Jesus implies that he has not given up being ‘in heaven’ because he was here bodily. How does John speak of him as “The Word”? He says The Word became flesh. Did Jesus stop being The Word when he walked on earth? Now be sure of this: I am not saying I know exactly what all this means but I think you must agree that Jesus is a unique being and this allows his turning up in the past as “The Angel of the Lord”.

• Adam hears him coming.
• Abraham has him visit him at home.
• Jacob has a unique encounter and wrestles with him.
• Moses takes off his sandals is his presence and hears him speak.
• He is seen as a Pillar of Cloud and a Pillar of Fire in the Exodus account.
• Job sees him as a Whirlwind and bows.
• Gideon is shocked to be called “a mighty, man of valor” by him.

And Daniel sees “one like the son of man” brought before the “Ancient of Days”. Now, do we see God the Father here? Remember, it is a vision. Daniel had also seen several strange beasts in a vision. But this passage remains one of the most significant in the Bible. Jesus quotes from it during his trial. They saw his implication and were angry that a man on earth should say this. But they had demanded he reveal who he was.

Is Jesus any different than he ever was? Not really. In his nature and his relationship to the Father, he has not changed. He is the same wonderful being who enjoys being the Son of His Father. But in relation to the creation and men, he has changed and will change again. He will receive all he has been given by the Father and all things will be under his feet. But look what he has done already!

• The Word did become flesh and live among us.
• He did fulfill much of Daniel’s prophesy.
• He has dealt with sin in a final way.
• He, the Messiah was cut off, but not for himself.
• He “put an end to sin, and made reconciliation for iniquity”

If he has done all this, he will surely accomplish all things. He has been glorified with a body not subject to time and space. “All power in heaven and earth is given to me.” Matthew 28:18 Notice the use of the word “is” not “has been” or “will be” but “is”, a timeless word.

But the writer of Hebrews tells us two things: “You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” and “But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

And we read these words: But we see Jesus…

• Made lower than angels for the suffering of death
• Crowned with glory and honor
• Made perfect through sufferings

And also, “he that sanctified and those that are sanctified are all of one”

So how then can we expect to become like Jesus who was ‘made perfect’ through sufferings without suffering ourselves? Remember that Jesus said to a man who claimed to have kept the Law of Moses all his life, ‘give up your wealth’. But he said more than this. When the man asks, “What do I lack?” Jesus answers, “If you would be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Did the man do it? Sorry to say, he chose something else. But many have read these words and laid hold on Jesus. They gave up much and received more. They became rich before God. Does God require that everyone give up their wealth? He requires more than that. He that gives up his life will find it. Those than have left everything, have found a new life with a different reality that fills the soul and rejoices the heart.

Paul tells us, in Ephesian’s that we are seated in the heavenlies. Do you believe it? You have place in the heavenly realm. But I’m here, not there, we say. So was Jesus ‘here’ and not ‘there’. Yet, he enjoyed his Father as he willingly served him. You know, he has always done this: loved and served his Father. He is seated at the Father’s right hand, we are told. And the same God can hold you up and deliver you into the timeless eternity. And again, he said, “I will be with you always”. Another paradox. Seated there and with us, with you, here.

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