All of us miss the mark because sin also blinds us- it’s hard to hit the target when we can’t even see straight. We need to have our eyes opened.
The revelation of God in Christ opens our eyes to what God is actually like- someone who has met the mark for us, and would rather suffer humanity’s misguided wrath and hatred- to the point of death on a cross- than to be without us.
But having our eyes opened is a lifelong process. We don’t see everything perfectly even as we come to know Christ, but remain students and learners who often get it wrong, needing mercy everyday.
We run into problems when we assume we see perfectly and start subtly judging everyone around us who sees differently, forgetting that humility is at the center of Christ’s character (see Phil. 2:3-8, 1 Cor. 13:12, Romans 12:3).
This kind of arrogance can actually deepen our blindness to the point that we begin opposing the work of God in the world, all the while thinking we are serving God (ie., note the Pharisees/religious leaders, much of church history, elements of today's “woke” culture, and the resurgence of Christian Nationalism).
Reflecting on Holy Week/Good Friday/Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday, may we remember that it was deeply committed religious people who led the mob in crucifying Jesus.
So may the Light shine in our darkness so that our eyes will be ever opened to see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).
