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So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked.¹

Being able to see and the inability to see are repeated narratives throughout the bible. If you have been studying the Scriptures, this repetition becomes noticeable (Don’t take my word, open your bible and check for yourself). With the Hebrew authors they used repetitive words, phrases, or ideas to stress importance. This method is seen throughout the OT. And this practice was carried over as they wrote the NT in Greek with the same intent. Similar to what we do in the English language, using modern fonts for writing, we use bold face, underscore, italics, “quotation marks,” ALL CAPS, exclamation points!!! to draw attention or stress importance.

The LORD set the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.² I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”³

An inspirational author wrote, “Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.”⁴ May we add that not all repetition leads to right learning; yes, we do develop a habit but not necessarily the right habit. Thus, even professional athletes need coaches. Jesus came to shed light to a dark world. He began his ministry by teaching the Jews in their synagogues, quoting from Isaiah, he read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”. . . .⁵

We are constantly prodded by the Holy Spirit⁶ as Jesus intercedes for us.⁷ We do have a choice—we may ignore the call, or decide to intentionally seek him and know him through the Scriptures? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.⁸ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.⁹ Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in the abundance of counselors there is safety.¹⁰

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.¹¹ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. . . .¹²

May the LORD open your eyes that you may recognize Jesus Christ¹³ as Lord and Savior.¹⁴ AMEN!