Luke 11:33-36 33“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket but on a stand, in order that those who enter may see the light. 34The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is shining, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35Therefore, be careful lest the light in you is darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, not having any darkness, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”
Jesus next illustrates the greatness of the Son of Man and the need to respond to him with three images of light. The first two illustrations are found in Matthew 5:15 and 6:22–23, but the third is unique to Luke. The image is logical and typical. When people light a lamp, the purpose of it is to put in the middle of the room so that it gives light for everyone who comes in. Small oil lamps from that era have been discovered by archaeologists. The purpose of light is to reveal and make the way clear for people. Jesus came as the light to show people the way to eternal life. Some of that generation had blindfolds over their eyes and missed the right path. Their outcome would be judgment (verse 32).
The next illustration personalizes the topic of accepting the Son. The eye is the source of light for the body. Those who wear glasses, have poor eyesight or are even blind know how difficult life can be with poor vision. The spiritual application is that a person must choose to believe in the Son to experience eternal life. This choice is made in one’s mind or, as the Bible often references, one’s heart. Faith is the eyes of the heart. If one lacks faith in the Son, one is spiritually bind and full of darkness.
In verse 35, Jesus applies these two illustrations to those who were listening, particularly those who were doubters. He was giving them an opportunity to change their thinking about him and not remain in the darkness. Doubting who Jesus is leaves a person in spiritual darkness. Verse 36 gives the positive outcome if a person would make the choice to accept his identity and authority. The way of discipleship requires people to open their eyes to see the Light of the world. Jesus calls people to full commitment, not partial light. Full light leaves no opportunity for the darkness to creep in. Although these illustrations are a bit cryptic, their application is strong and consistent with Luke’s account that calls for readers to make the decision to believe in Jesus and follow him wholeheartedly because they have let the light shine wholly or completely in their lives.
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