What does it take for us to see?

Our eyes perceive light.  Upsidedown none the less.  The light is often a refraction off of a surface but not always. There are slight atmospheric interferences with the light.  That light reflects off surfaces (or not) and is then refracted by the eye’s lens to form an image on the retina. The brain interprets this light to construct a visual scene.  Our brains are able to figure that mess out!  When you reach for the salt on the table and you feel it’s shape.  For the most part it’s as your eyes, brain and hand perceive it.

Why then do we stop this amazing creation (our brain) from doing its job so often? 

Why do we insist that what we see is absolutely not what we perceive?

Why can’t we just recognize that which is right in front of us?

We all do it daily.  In some way we look out into this world and say “No, that can’t possibly be true.”.  I’m astounded at our propensity for the alteration of truth, for the warping of reality, so that we can think we’re right even though we know we’re not.  Let’s look at the text.

Mark 2:5-12 CSB
[5] Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

[6] But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: [7] “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

[8] Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? [10] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”  — he told the paralytic — [11] “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

[12] Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Vs. 5 Jesus always sees things as they really are.

Vs. 6-7 We question, incorrectly rationalize, and change the truth of the situation to fit our thinking (He’s blaspheming!) instead of accepting the truth in front of us (He’s God!). 

Vs. 8-11 Jesus always shows truth.

Vs 12 We respond.  In many cases incorrectly.  In the case of our text they gave a proper response but we often don’t.

The response that the text gives is the same response we should always give.

Glory to God!

All of the time.  But especially when He’s standing right in front of you.  Just throwing that out there.

I say all of this not to chastise or condemn in any way.  I say it for our recognition of our lack of control.  Our desire to alter the truth to fit our thinking.  We have been given an amazing brain and we most often use it against itself.  We take what it tells us and change it so that we can be right.  I admit there are times that we must evaluate what we perceive.  But if what we conclude from that perception is contrary to scripture then our conclusion is wrong and we need to look for how we are trying to change truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB
[16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Scripture is God’s inerrant Word.  Jesus is the Word.  Jesus is God! 

John 1:1-2 CSB
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.

John 3:16-17 CSB
[16] For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

He gave Himself to us that we may be saved.  We can fight the effects of the fall of man (ref. Genesis 3) with the Word.  We often hear about the red letters in the Bible.  If 2 Timothy 3:16 is correct and it assuredly is.  All of the letters in the Bible should be red.  Most importantly though because we need to keep ourselves from changing truth.  All of the letters in the Bible should be read.

Love in Christ,

Colby