Luke 11:36

SPIRITUAL LIGHT

‘If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light.’

Luke 11:36

We learn from these words of the Lord Jesus—

I. The importance of making a good use of religious light and privileges.—When the Gospel of Christ is placed before a man’s soul, it is as if God offered to him a lighted candle. It is not sufficient to hear it, and assent to it, and admire it, and acknowledge its truth. It must be received into the heart, and obeyed in the life.

II. The value of a single and undivided heart in religion.—This is a lesson which our Lord illustrates from the office of the eye in the human body. He reminds us that when the eye is ‘single,’ or thoroughly healthy, the action of the whole body is influenced by it. But when, on the contrary, the eye is evil, or diseased, it affects the physical comfort and activity of the whole man. In an Eastern country, where eye diseases are painfully common, the illustration is one which would be particularly striking.

Bishop J. C. Ryle.

Illustration

‘The meaning of Luke 11:36 is at first sight nothing more than the assertion of a simple truism. It seems nothing more than saying, “If thy body shall be light, it shall be light.” This, however, is plainly not the full meaning of our Lord’s words. The meaning of the words appears to be as follows. “If the eye of thy soul is thoroughly healthy, and thy heart thoroughly right in the sight of God, so that thy whole character is enlightened and influenced by it, then shall thy whole character shine after the manner of a candle which enlightens thee by its shining. Thou shalt not only have light for thyself, but reflect light on others.” The second expression, “full of light,” should be read in close connection with the likeness of the candle which immediately follows. If thou art really full of light, thou shalt be like a lighted candle on a candlestick. Thou shalt be a light to the world. The marginal reading gives a more literal translation of the conclusion of the verse than the authorised version. The literal rendering of the Greek is, “as when a candle, by its bright, flashing shining, enlightens thee.” ’