“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.” (Lk 11:34, NIV)
Light represents goodness, purity, holiness, and truth. Darkness represents sin, evil, and Satan. The eye is an analogy of the inclinations of the heart. If our hearts are set on the material possessions of this world, we are spiritually blind and lose our direction in life.
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“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt 5:7)
The Song of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-4 was quoted in Matthew 12:18-21 with reference to Jesus Christ, the Chosen One. Verse 3 depicts that Jesus Christ is compassionate and merciful.
” A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”
(Isa 42:3 NIV)
“A bruised reed” describes a person who almost breaks down, feeling broken and bruised. “A smoldering wick” describes a person who is hopeless and burned out spiritually.
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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Mt 5:6)
Righteousness is holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard. God’s character is the definition and source of all righteousness. He is all holy, just and good; He is the standard of righteousness. Therefore, the righteousness of man is defined by doing what is right in God’s eyes.
To hunger means to be needy. It is joined with thirst. When man is spiritually reborn, he has a God-given hunger and thirst or inner passion for righteousness. This hunger and thirst continue throughout the life of the believer. The act of hungering and thirsting for righteousness is the by-product of a renewed life. We can become righteous in Christ and be led in the paths of righteousness through His presence within.
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