Light Illuminates the Soul

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark, 3; 

From Luke's Journal 

Inside Jerusalem's city walls.
Photo by Mary Vee.

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

We have been at a home where Jesus is talking to Pharisees. 

In our day, bystanders come into homes at will. In this particular home, Jesus, and those of us who are his disciples had been invited for dinner.

We've been here quite some time and haven't eaten yet. The Pharisees raised questions and arguments from the moment we arrived. Men and women came into the home to listen to the discussion, taking up the space allotted for the meal.

My stomach grumbled.

The last few posts tell what Jesus has discussed already. The next topic discussed deals with lights and lamps.

Jesus said, "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or sets a bowl over the flame to block the light.

"Instead, he puts the lamp on a stand where the entire area is illuminated. 

"Your eye is like a lamp for your body. When your eyes are good, your soul radiates light. When your eyes are bad, you body is steeped in darkness and sin.

"Watch that the pure light for your soul is not hampered in any way. When you do, even your face will show the light from inside you."

After Jesus spoke these wise words, the host, who was a Pharisee invited him in to a room where the meal had been arranged. Jesus and we disciples followed the host and sat.

The Pharisee watched Jesus walk past the ceremonial water bowl prepared for washing hands. "Rabbi, you did't wash."

Jesus said, "You Pharisees wash your outsides, keeping your body clean, but your soul is full of greed and wickedness. You are fools. Didn't the One who created your outside also create your insides? You show the purity within you by giving to the poor. 

"You give a tenth of your garden herbs, but you neglect important issues like justice and the love of God. Tithing is good, but anyone who truly honors God does both.

"You love the best seats in the temple and the glory you receive by walking through the marketplace in your robes. All eyes are on you, not your heavenly Father.

"In truth, you are nothing but unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing you are buried there."

The Pharisees sitting at the meal with us didn't show any sign of being bothered by Jesus' words. In truth, I'm not so sure they truly listened. They simply liked the conversation sport.


I will share more of what he taught the next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.