October 16th~No Dark Corners

Luke 11:14-12:34

Jesus was teaching and performing miracles in the midst of a crowd. Many people claimed that He was casting out demons by the power of Satan; and, others pleaded for a sign from heaven to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. Evidently, what Jesus had already done in their midst was not proof enough; what they needed was not more signs but to open their eyes and believe what they were already seeing. Then, there were the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were trying to catch Jesus in a trap because of something He said or did.

This type of hostile environment was typical of Jesus’ ministry and He did not back down from it. Instead, He pointed out the unreasonableness of their claims, their hard-heartedness in regards to past prophets and messengers from God, and their religious charade. While they appeared to be pious, they were only playing the game, going through the motions, saying and doing that which made them look good. “Beware of their hypocrisy,” Jesus said (Luke 12:1).

Jesus also made this pointed statement, “Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul, but an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. Make sure the light that you think you have is not really darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you” (11:33-36).

Those who were listening to Jesus could apply His teaching in two ways. First, those who were unbelievers had Christ, the Light, standing be- fore them, but their evil eye (hardened heart) shut Him out and plunged them into darkness. The Pharisees, also, while thinking that they al- ready had “spiritual light” really had darkness. Their man-made religion made them look good on the outside, but they were hypocrites. They were religious for show, not because they were truly seeking to please God. Their supposed wisdom kept them from believing in Christ.

However, for those who believe in Christ and who open their eyes to His light, we will be flooded with spiritual illumination. Just as we would physically bask in the glow of a floodlight, in Christ our inward spiritual life is enlightened by His presence. To the extent that we surrender every area of our lives to Christ, to that extent there are “no dark corners,” and our whole life is filled with His radiance.

Daily Reflection

Define the meaning of “dark corners.” What do those look like, in regards to Christ?

How would this idea of “dark corners” relate to one’s money, for example in the story that Jesus told of the rich fool?

Describe your life. Is every area filled with radiance or do you have “dark corners”?

 BiAY.org | Day 289 — 76 Days to Go