ルカによる福音書11:33-36 Luke 11:33-36,

ここで「澄んでいる」と翻訳されているギリシア語のアプルースという言葉の元々の意味は、新約聖書ギリシア語辞典によれば「一つの一貫した目的に動機づけられ、公明正大であること」です。わかりやすく言い換えれば「単純な」という意味です。そこで、信仰の目が澄んでいるとは、信仰が単純であるということを意味しています。つまり、単純な信仰ほど、その人の人格を照らすことができるということです。普通「単純」というのは、あまり善い意味で用いられる言葉ではありません。たとえば、「あの人は、単純な人だ」と言うと、ほめているというよりはけなしていることになります。そして、しばしば信仰についても、「単純な信仰」というのは程度の低いもので、 哲学的で普通の人には何を言っているかわからないような信仰のほうがより高度なものであるかのように思われがちです。しかし、キリストは単純な信仰すなわち澄んだ信仰は人格を明るくし、単純でない信仰すなわち濁った信仰は人格を暗くするとおっしゃっているのであります。

それでは、単純な信仰とはどのような信仰でしょうか？それは、ひとすじにキリストに信頼する信仰のことです。キリストともう一つ何か別のものに二股をかけない信仰です。人はしばしばキリストを信じるだけでは生きていけないと考えて、キリスト以外のものにも二股をかけて信じようとします。キリストと人間の知恵、キリストと人間の富、キリストとこの世の地位、キリストと自分のプライドなどです。ところが、そういう信仰は濁った信仰であるので、信じている人自身の人格を明るくしません。言い換えますと、二股をかける信仰ではキリストの恵みを十分に受け取ることができないということです。

実際、私たちは信仰が深まるにつれて、罪を赦されて永遠の命を受けるというキリストの恵みは、ほかの何事かと取り替えたり、他の何事かと並べたりできるようなものではない、ということを知らされるのではないでしょうか。讃美歌21の522番の「キリストにはかえられません」という讃美歌をご存知の方もいらっしゃるでしょう。「キリストにはかえられません、世の宝もまた富も、有名なひとになることも、このおかたがわたしに代わって死んだゆえです。世の楽しみよ、去れ、世のほまれよ、行け。キリストにはかえられません、世のなにものも。」この歌詞に表れておりますように、キリストの恵みは、キリストの十字架の死という尊い犠牲によって勝ち取られた高価な恵みなのです。それゆえに、「キリストにはかえられません」という澄んだ信仰をもって初めて十分にキリストの恵みを受け取ることができるのです。　　　　（7月27日の説教より）

In Christian teachings, faith is something particularly important. Even when considering the general way of human life, it goes without saying that believing is important. However, in Christianity in particular, faith is not simply a matter of vaguely believing or relying on something, but rather a crucial aspect that pertains to the entirety of one’s way of life. Our church stands in the tradition of the 16th-century European Reformation. In the teachings of the Reformation, the doctrine that “justification is by faith alone” is of utmost importance. This means that the salvation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of human beings, can only be received through faith alone. Even if one tries to imitate Christ or undergoes arduous ascetic practices, one cannot receive the salvation of Christ.

John Calvin, a Reformer in Geneva, Switzerland, defined faith as “a firm and sure knowledge of the divine favour toward us” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 2, Section 7). Moreover, this “firm and sure knowledge” of faith is not a knowledge obtained through ordinary physical sight, but one that can only be obtained through the special eyes of faith. In Hebrews 11:1 of the New Testament, we are taught that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” According to this teaching, faith is the recognition of things that cannot be seen with the physical eyes. In order to recognise things that cannot be seen with the physical eyes, the special eyes of the heart, or the eyes of faith, must be opened. So, what does it mean for the eyes of faith to be opened? Let us consider this together from today’s Bible passage.

Today’s Bible passage consists of two parts, the first half and the second half. The first half is verses 33 and 34. It teaches that if the eyes of faith are healthy, the whole character is illuminated. The second half is verses 35 and 36. The meaning of the second half is somewhat difficult to understand, but it probably teaches that a person whose whole character is illuminated by faith can also illuminate those around them.

Christ addressed the issue of people’s faith because He was faced with their unbelief. As stated in verses 15-16 of chapter 11, despite the miracles Christ performed, people said things like, “Christ is performing miracles through the power of the devil,” or “If he performs another miracle, we will believe,” and they refused to believe that Christ was the Saviour. Therefore, as recorded in verses 29-32, Christ declared that he was the one who would suffer and be glorified like the prophet Jonah of the Old Testament, and that without believing in the suffering of Christ’s cross and the glory of his resurrection, no greater miracles could be performed, thus calling people to repentance. Furthermore, Christ cited the faith of the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh as recorded in the Old Testament to accuse the Jews of his time of lacking faith and to declare God’s judgment upon them.

Following this, in today’s passage, Christ urges us to have faith rather than unbelief. In particular, through the parable of the lamp, today’s passage teaches us the positive aspect of Christian faith, which is the teaching that by believing in Christ, a person’s character is illuminated, and the people around them are also illuminated.

The meaning of verse 33 in the first half of today’s passage is clear. In verse 33, Christ says, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.” In other words, a lamp is placed to illuminate the surroundings, and no one would deliberately hide its light. In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew connects this saying to the teaching that those who believe in Christ should live good lives based on their faith, thereby shining the light of their faith on those around them. According to Matthew 5:15, after teaching, “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house,” Christ continues in verse 16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This is how the parable of the lamp is explained in the Gospel of Matthew.

However, Luke emphasises in today’s passage that faith illuminates the character of the believer before it illuminates those around them. If today’s passage and Matthew 5:15-16 are based on the same words of Christ, then Luke’s version may be closer to the original words of Christ. It is possible that Matthew edited the original words of Christ to emphasise the point of “shining upon those around you” in the context of the teaching about “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” However, it is also possible that Christ himself spoke the same parable of the lamp in different situations and contexts. In any case, Luke’s Gospel teaches that the light of faith illuminates the character of the believer himself before it illuminates those around him.

Interestingly, Matthew records almost the same words as today’s passage in a different place, not in the parable of the lamp. That is, Luke records concerning the parable of the lamp in verse 34 of today’s passage as follows: “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.” However, Matthew records these words in a different passage, i.e., in 6:22-23, which is separate from 5:15-16 which is the parable of the lamp. That is as follows: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Furthermore, this passage of Matthew 6:22–23 is situated within the context of verse 20, “Lay up treasures in heaven,” and verse 24, “You cannot serve God and money.” Therefore, just as Christ teaches in today’s passage, it emphasizes the importance of a simple faith that does not divide one’s trust between Christ and something else.

The “eyes” referred to here, both in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, are not physical eyes but eyes of faith. According to the Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, the Greek word “aplūs” (ἁπλοῦς), translated here as “healthy,” originally means “motivated by a single purpose so as to be open and above board.” In easier terms, it means “simple.” Therefore, when we say that the eyes of faith are healthy, it means that faith is simple. In other words, the simpler the faith, the more it can illuminate a person’s character. Generally, the word “simple” is not used in a very positive sense. For example, when we say, “That person is simple,” we are not necessarily praising the person; rather, we are criticising the person. Similarly, when it comes to faith, “simple faith” is often thought of as inferior, while philosophical faith that is difficult for ordinary people to understand is considered more advanced. However, Christ said that simple faith, or healthy faith, brightens the character, while complex faith, or unhealthy faith, darkens it.

So, what is simple faith? It is faith that trusts in Christ alone, without dividing one’s trust between Christ and something else. People often think that they cannot live by believing in Christ alone, so they try to believe in something else besides Christ. For example, they try to believe in Christ and human wisdom, Christ and human wealth, Christ and worldly status, or Christ and their own pride. However, such faith is impure, and it does not brighten the character of the believer. In other words, faith that is divided cannot fully receive Christ’s grace.

In fact, as our faith deepens, we come to understand that the grace of Christ—forgiveness of sins and eternal life—is not something that can be exchanged for or placed alongside anything else. Some of you may be familiar with the hymn “I’d have rather Jesus” (Hymn 21-522). The lyrics go as follows: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.” As these lyrics express, the grace of Christ is a precious gift won through the noble sacrifice of his death on the cross. Therefore, it is only with the simple faith that “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold” that we can fully receive the grace of Christ.

Now, the latter part of today’s Bible passage begins with an exhortation to examine one’s faith, as in verse 35: “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” And verse 36 continues, “If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” In other words, if your character is brightened by simple faith, your whole body, that is, your entire personality, will shine brightly. And if your entire personality shines brightly, you will be able to brighten the surroundings of those around you.

Carefully studying the Bible and Christian teachings is helpful for strengthening faith. However, we must not turn faith into a complex philosophical ideology through study. We should strive to maintain a simple faith while continuing to learn. In John 3:16, it is written, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” And in Acts 16:31, it is written, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Furthermore, in 1 Timothy 1:15, it is written, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The meaning of these words from the Bible is simple. If we believe in Jesus Christ, we will be forgiven of our sins and receive eternal life.

We desire to simply believe in this grace of Christ, have our character brightened, and become individuals who can brighten the lives of those around us. Simple faith forms the foundation of character. Because it is straightforward, it becomes a principle for living that applies to various situations in life. When the foundation of a Christian character is established through simple faith, one can bear witness to Christ to others. And even if those around one are indifferent, one will not falter. This is because simplicity eliminates doubt. Simple faith can be sustained because it is not easily influenced by changes in circumstances. Simple faith can resist persecution because it knows the eternal happiness that transcends this world. However, even with simple faith, one does not become a simple person in a negative sense. This is because how to reflect faith in one’s way of life is something that can be discerned through daily prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There was a female missionary named Ms. Mabel Francis who lived in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, and spent her life witnessing to Christ. Mabel was born into a pastor’s family in New Hampshire, USA, and came to Japan in 1909 at the age of 29 as a single missionary. Together with her brother Thomas and sister Anne, she engaged in missionary work in the areas around Hiroshima and towns in Shikoku where there were no churches, resulting in the establishment of 20 churches. However, when Japan and China went to war and Japanese militarism grew stronger, her brother Thomas was pressured by the police and had no choice but to return to the United States. Despite this, Mabel, who remained in Matsuyama City, and her sister Anne, who was in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, continued to stay in Japan.

However, on 8 December 1941, the war between the United States and Japan began. The next day, the police came to her home and told her, “Are you aware that you are now an enemy alien?” She was then asked to sign a pledge stating that she would not do anything to oppose or hinder the war effort and was ordered to record the names of everyone who visited her home. She was prohibited from leaving her home and was effectively placed under house arrest. At the time, Mabel was 61 years old. A woman named Ms. KOIZUMI Akiko, who had been living with Mabel and helping with household chores, was told not to cooperate with enemy nationals and was ordered to leave the house, but she continued to secretly deliver food to Mabel.

However, the start of the war did not change Mabel’s life. She continued her daily morning prayer meetings as usual, encouraging the faith of those who visited her and spending her days praying together with them. Not only that, but she also took in three tuberculosis patients into her home and cared for them while living with them. One of those patients, Ms. NAGANO Chiyoko, asked Mabel after the morning prayer meeting, “Are you not afraid of death?” In such a time of crisis, it was puzzling to see her maintain her usual calm and compassionate demeanour, reading the Bible and singing hymns. Ms. NAGANO then asked, “If you were told today that you would die, what would you think?” Mabel replied with her usual shining face, “I would gladly go to be with Jesus. However, as long as I have a mission, I will continue to live.” What a simple yet powerful faith!

Eventually, Mabel was evicted from her home in Matsuyama City, her custody was transferred to Tokyo, and she was imprisoned in a Tokyo detention centre, where she underwent interrogation and questioning. Her detention lasted three years. During the Tokyo air raids, the fire reached the detention centre in Zōsigaya, and Mabel was marched through the night towards another detention centre. After the war ended, Mabel worked in a hospital connected to the detention centre, caring for wounded soldiers and orphans. After six months, when the railway was restored, she returned to Shikoku and spent busy days rebuilding the church and engaging in new missionary work. The Social Education Department of Ehime Prefecture appointed Mabel as a special lecturer and asked her to travel around all the municipalities in the prefecture to share her experiences. People who had lost their support for life after the war and were emotionally drained listened intently to Mabel’s message of God’s love. At the age of 85, Mabel decided to retire from the church and returned to the United States. One morning at the age of 94, she looked at the nurse who had been caring for her, smiled, waved her hand, and then passed away, called home by the Lord. (“Waga Uchini Syu Imaseba: Mabel Francis Monogatari” in the Separate-Volume Supplement to Hyakumannin no Fukuin, August 2001)

Mabel’s life vividly illustrates how simple yet powerful faith can illuminate a person’s character and brighten the lives of those around the person. Let us also walk through this earthly life with healthy eyes of faith, armed with simple yet powerful faith.