Phyllis Nissila

Peering through “A Bug’s Eye View” display in a science museum I saw the world as a mosaic of color and structure, each polygonal piece of the mosaic a replica of the others. What was a view of lunch or a landing place for the bug was a miniature kaleidoscope for me.

I pondered how each creature’s visual needs are met through unique filters of light and form. Some, like the bat, have need of night vision “sonar” to maneuver in the dark. Some, like the eagle, need long-distance acuity to spot small prey from the air. Humans need our own brand of multidimensional sight.

All creatures, however, need not only physical sight, but the mental perception necessary to process the view: dinner? danger? delight?

I also pondered “spiritual sight”.

Once, when Jesus took his disciples aside to explain why he spoke in parables to the crowds, many of whom were religious, He said, “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:13, KJV).

Why the lack of perception? “For this people’s heart is waxed gross (calloused), and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed […]” (15), He explained.

The spiritually blind and deaf were looking for salvation in the wrong places; did not–would not–“see” and “hear” the Savior standing, healing, and forgiving in full view. Later, they would deny even the evidence of an empty tomb.

Bible commentator Matthew Henry [1] suggests that those who do see (perceive, understand) are those “truly desirous to be taught of (Jesus)” Who will then “turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in (Him)” (Acts 26:18).

Spiritual vision, like natural vision, is not merely function and form, not merely holy images, but holy hearts–wholly His.

Look up!

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[1] Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary: In One Volume, Genesis to Revelation. Ed. Rev. Leslie F. Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981. 1270.

Image from the public domain.