The Real Eye-Opener

When an experience is said to be ‘eye-opening’ it completely changes our perception of things. We feel like we will never look at the facts in quite the same way. Eye-opening experiences are life-changing. Our God is an eye-opener. Jesus opened physically blind eyes and people could see the world in all its glorious splendour. Paul, His Apostle to the Gentiles, was sent out to open spiritual eyes, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that people could see Jesus and receive forgiveness for their sins.

Hopefully our eyes have been opened to the revelation that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. This is the most life-changing revelation anyone could ever have! If we don’t understand who Jesus is, then the god of this world has managed to blind our eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). But when God opens our eyes, it is as if everything written in the Bible suddenly become a technicolour reality. We realise that the most amazing truths were hiding in plain sight. But we need God’s grace to have our eyes opened.

The eye-opening continues however, after salvation. Perhaps God wants to open our eyes to the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit living in us (Ephesians 1:18). Or maybe we need an eye-opening in regard to God’s love for us as His children (Ephesians 3:18-19). Perhaps God wants to open our eyes to the enemy’s devastating work in our lives, which Satan has sought to keep hidden from us. Perhaps God wants to help us understand more of our value, our worth and the contribution we can make in His kingdom. Whatever it is, we need God’s grace to open our eyes more and more to the spiritual reality in which we live.

Remember the Lord Jesus’ rebuke to the (seemingly) self-satisfied believers in Laodicea? ‘You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see”’ (Revelation 3:17-18). And He also said: “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39).

It seems to me that Jesus opens our eyes when we call out to Him from a place of humility. We are very much in need of His eye-opening ministry, but He wants us to acknowledge this and agree with Him, rather than falsely claim that we already are seeing things perfectly.

Let’s close with an insightful story which Matthew tells (Matthew 21:32-34):
‘Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him’.

Prayer: Lord, be kind to me and open my eyes more, so that I can see the truths that You want me to see. I acknowledge my need of Your Holy Spirit in the opening of my eyes. I am practically blind without You. Thank You for Your mercy. Amen.