Parable of the Body's Lamp

Definition of Parable:

Parable signifies in general a comparison, or a parallel, by which one thing is used to illustrate another. It is a likeness taken from the sphere of real, or sensible, or earthly incidents, in order to convey an ideal, or spiritual, or heavenly meaning. As uttering one thing and signifying something else, it is in the nature of a riddle and has therefore a light and a dark side, it is intended to stir curiosity and calls for intelligence in the listener.   The derivation of the Hebrew is unknown.

Parable of the Body's Lamp

Matthew 6:22-23 (Luke 11:34-36)

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Explanation/Meaning:

 Jesus used the image of eyesight to convey an important spiritual principle. Bad eyesight is often used as a metaphor for stupidity and spiritual blindness. (For examples, see Matthew 15:14, 23:16 ff.; John 9:39-41; Romans 2 2:19; II Peter 1:9; and Revelations 3:17.) The eye is the window of the heart, mind, and "inner being" of a person.  If the window is clouded, dirty, or marred in any manner, the light will be deflected and diminished.  Just so with the "inner being" of a person!  How we "see" affects the "inner life", "heart", and "soul" of an individual.  What can blind or distort our "vision" of what is true, good, lovely, pure and everlasting (Philippians 4:8)?  Certainly prejudice, jealousy, and self-conceit cause distortion or blindness.  Prejudice destroys good judgment and blinds us to the facts and to their significance for us.  Jealousy makes us distrustful and suspicious of others and distorts our ability to accurately examine the facts. We need to fearlessly examine ourselves to see if we are living according to right principles or if we might be misguided by prejudice or some other conceit.  Love is not jealous ...but rejoices with the truth (1 Cor. 13:4-6). Do you rejoice in what is right and good and do you live your life in the light of God's truth?

"Lord, your word is life for us.  Fill me with your light and truth, and give me understanding of your ways.  Free me from all that is false, illusory, ugly, and unloving. Let my heart know only one treasure -- the joy and bliss of union with you -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."