This morning I went for my annual appointment with the eye doctor. As is normal, after reading several eye charts to see if my vision had changed, I had drops put in my eyes to dilate them before the doctor came in to check for physical issues that might have arisen (i.e.; cataracts). While I was sitting there waiting, I noticed the poster on the wall that identified the various components that make up the eye and, as always, was amazed with its complexity. Included among the various parts of the eye that allow us to be able to see the sunset and the wonderful colors of Spring and Fall are: the pupil, the iris, the cornea, the lens, the sclera, the retina and the optic nerve; and this doesn’t include the retinal blood vessels and muscles that allow for movement. The more I stared at the chart and looked at what all is involved with our ability to see, I couldn’t help but think of David’s Psalm 139:14 that says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well,” and this started me thinking.
The genius involved in the creation of the eye alone is almost beyond comprehension, but when you add the complexity of the eye to all the other components and systems that make up the human body that have to function perfectly together so that we might “live, and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), it is staggering; which brings us to another thought.
When one considers all that is involved in mankind’s existence on the earth and, add to that, all the other complex creatures that exist (i.e. plants, birds, sea creatures and land animals), as well as the environment that had to be created and the precision to the minutest degree of the laws of nature and the universe to sustain life, there is one thing that amazes me above all else and that is this. There are actually intelligent people living on this planet who really believe there is no creator and that all these things exist through evolutionary chance.
No wonder Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” But just like in ancient times, so it is today; and when man rejects God now, he is just as accountable as ancient man. He has no excuse.
But while it is true that man should be able, just on the evidence of creation alone to know that He exists, God must provide us with spiritual eyes if we are ever to know Him. And just like in the physical creation, to have spiritual eyes requires His creative work also, as seen in Jesus’ words to Nicodemus when He said to him, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). So just as physical life only happens through the creative work of God, so does the giving of spiritual life.
In John 6:44 Jesus said, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” God must act for us to both exist and know Him. And He does this through His Son, providing us both physical (see John 1:3) and spiritual life (see II Corinthians 5:17) through Him. Jesus, during His existence on earth, proved He had power to give physical sight (see John 9:7-11). But even more importantly, He has power to give us spiritual eyes, like he did on the day of His resurrection with the two men He spoke to on the road to Emmaus. They were sad and didn’t know who He was. But He opened their ears to understand that what had taken place was all in accordance with what the prophets had spoken. And then, as He blessed the meal they were about to enjoy, it says “And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him” (Luke 24:31). Yes, He opened their eyes and they would forever know Him as the risen Savior.
To us everything God does is miraculous, whether creating something out of nothing, or giving sight to the blind and life to the dead. Because that is what He does and who He is, let us worship and serve Him with joy and thanksgiving for the eyes He has given us, both physically and spiritually, so that we too might see!
For God’s glory and His alone,
Pastor Terry.