Eyes Enlightened
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Today’s Readings: Ephesians 1-3; Proverbs 23:19-35
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:13–14, ESV
In his apostolic prayer for the church in Ephesians chapter one Paul prays that God “may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (vv. 17-19). It was his hope that if they had eyes to see the glory of what God had done for them in Christ that they would not despair over anything else. In other words, the good news we have received through Jesus Christ is such incredibly good news that it completely eclipses and entirely reframes any bad news we might otherwise encounter.
Paul goes on to explain that he has been made a minister of this good news and given the responsibilty of making it known to men. The good news is this: We were dead in our trespasses and slaves to sin “but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (2:4-7). Hallelujah! We are saved by grace and it is a gift of God.
The good news gets better because it is true not just for the Jews but also the Gentiles. This is the “mystery” that had been hidden but now had been revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ: “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (3:6). This revelation magnifies the scope of God’s mercy to an extent that was previously unimaginable. It was one thing for God to extend His grace and goodness to the Jews—that is in itself incredible enough considering their disobedience to His commands. But to offer forgiveness for sin and adoption as children to the Gentiles? They (we!) didn’t even know God’s commands, much less keep them! They (we!) were aliens and strangers, but now have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ. Incredible indeed!
The gospel is the greatest good news ever and God kept it a secret for ages—hidden even from the angels it seems (3:10). But now it has been revealed to us by a gracious God and loving Heavenly Father who must love to see His children’s eyes light up with surprise and delight at the good gifts He gives. Salvation by grace alone is a gift so good that still, sitting in a jail cell, Paul could say to the Ephesians, “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (3:13). Paul was a prisoner when he wrote Ephesians, but his heart was held captive by God, and it’s hard to be discouraged by the temporary shadows of earth when you have the eternal light of heaven in your eyes!
So be encouraged today, Friends, and let the love of God fill your mind’s eye. “Be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (3:16-19).
Tomorrow’s Readings: Ephesians 4-6; Proverbs 24:1-22