The Two Eyes
The sermon explores the concept of the two eyes of Christ's soul, highlighting the distinction between contemplation and action, and the relationship between the inner and outer man.
W.R. Inge delves into the concept of the soul of Christ having two eyes, a right eye fixed on eternity and the Godhead, and a left eye focused on creation and the differences among creatures. The inner man of Christ, according to the right eye of His soul, experienced perfect blessedness and eternal peace, while the outer man endured suffering and tribulations. Inge explains how the outer man of Christ remained undisturbed by the suffering, reflecting on Jesus' unwavering joy and blessedness even during His crucifixion. He draws parallels between the soul of Christ and the created soul of man, emphasizing the need to focus on either eternity or temporal matters, as both cannot be prioritized simultaneously.
Text
We should remember the saying that the soul of Christ had two eyes, a right eye and a left eye. In the beginning, when the soul of Christ was created, she fixed her right eye upon eternity and the Godhead, and remained in the full beholding and fruition of the Divine essence and eternal perfection; and thus remained unmoved by all the accidents and labours, the suffering, anguish, and pain, that befell the outer man. But with the left eye she looked upon the creation, and beheld all things that are therein, and observed how the creatures differ from each other, how they are better or worse, nobler or baser; and after this manner was the outer man of Christ ordered.
Thus the inner man of Christ, according to the right eye of His soul, stood in the full exercise of His Divine nature, in perfect blessedness, joy, and eternal peace. But the outer man and the left eye of the soul of Christ stood with Him in perfect suffering, in all His tribulations, afflictions and labours; in such a way that the inner or right eye remained unmoved, unimpeded and untouched by all the labour, suffering, woe, and misery that happened to the outer man. It has been said that when Jesus was bound to the pillar and scourged, and when He hung on the cross, according to the outer man, the inner man, a soul according to the right eye, stood in as full possession of Divine joy and blessedness as it did after the ascension, or as it does now.
Even so His outer man, or soul according to the left eye, was never impeded, disturbed, or troubled by the inward eye in its contemplation of the outward things which pertained to it. The created soul of man has also two eyes. The one is the power of looking into eternity, the other the power of looking into time and the creatures, of perceiving how they differ from each other, of giving sustenance and other things necessary to the body, and ordering and ruling it for the best.
But these two eyes of the soul cannot both perform their office at once; if the soul would look with the right eye into eternity, the left eye must be shut, and must cease to work: it must be as if it were dead. For if the left eye is discharging its office towards outward things--if it is holding conversation with time and the creatures--then the right eye must be impeded in its working, which is contemplation. Therefore, he who would have one must let the other go; for no man can serve two masters. vii.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Two Eyes of Christ's Soul
- A. The right eye beholds eternity and the Godhead
- B. The left eye beholds creation and the creatures
- II. The Inner and Outer Man of Christ
- A. The inner man stands in perfect blessedness and joy
- B. The outer man suffers and labors
- III. The Relationship Between the Two Eyes
- A. The right eye cannot behold eternity and time at the same time
- B. The two eyes cannot perform their office at once
Key Quotes
“Thus the inner man of Christ, according to the right eye of His soul, stood in the full exercise of His Divine nature, in perfect blessedness, joy, and eternal peace.” — W.R. Inge
“For if the left eye is discharging its office towards outward things--if it is holding conversation with time and the creatures--then the right eye must be impeded in its working, which is contemplation.” — W.R. Inge
Application Points
- We must learn to prioritize contemplation and spiritual growth over worldly concerns and distractions.
- Our inner man can remain in perfect blessedness and joy even in the midst of suffering and tribulation.
- We must recognize the limitations of our dual nature and learn to balance our spiritual and physical needs.