July 20, 2021

This group of scriptures, Matthew Chapters 5-7, are referred to as The Sermon on the Mount. The verse above, mat 6:33, refers to “these things,” as they relate to verse 33… have you ever thought about what “these things” are, and how they yet apply to our lives today? It would be good to refresh our remembrance of “these things,” listed in the preceding verses to verse 33.

To some, the Bible is a storybook for bedtime reading for children… sort of a narrative like the old TV show, “The Little House on the Prairie.” And, to others, they like the feel good promises and proclamations that paint an uplifting picture and peaceful hope… which is good, I like them too. However, the scriptures that are more challenging, with hard rebukes of our sins and their hindrance of our relationship with GOD [Yahweh], are often avoided… perhaps because we don’t want to rein in our misbehavior and repent; which in it’s end result, brings us even greater peace and uplifting hope… but it can be so hard to turn ourselves around at times.

One of the Sermon on the Mount scriptures is:

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” mat 6:22-23 nkjv

I think this scripture is more spiritual than natural [physical]; I think the “eye” here is referring to our inner thoughts, the way we perceive others and our convictions that motivate our lifestyles. The substance of this “vision” is thereby projected by our real actions… oftentimes not very Christlike.

It would seem to me that if we want to Follow Yeshua’s teaching, as in “seeking first the Kingdom,” that we need to focus our “eyes” on Yeshua’s likeness… it calls to mind the scripture that says:

“My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.” prov 23:26 nkjv

I think when our “hearts” [center of convictions, our emotions] are given to Yahweh’s management, and we are in agreement with and walking in His Word’s instructions, that our eyes will see the Kingdom, that otherwise one cannot “seek first” unless they know what they are looking for… Your can’t seek for what you can’t see and desire to find. Where, what are our eyes focused upon?

Shalom… John