Matthew 9:36
I’ve had to wear glasses practically all of my life. I was in the first grade when my eyesight began to go bad. Being the rambunctious young boy that I was, my parents had to make sure that I had sturdy frames. Let’s just say that I still have nightmares about my school picture that year! I am nearsighted, which means that I can’t see anything beyond a couple of feet away from me. My eyeglasses help correct that. The truth is that spiritual sight is just as important, even more so, than physical sight. I need to be able to see others the way that Jesus does.
What do you think it would be like to be able to see the world the way that Jesus sees it? We read in Scripture that when Jesus looked upon the crowds that followed Him, He was moved with compassion because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. I can’t say that I have always looked at other people that way. Sick people, demonized people, lost people, hungry people, homeless people. These were not obstacles in His way. Rather, they were sheep in need of the Good Shepherd’s mercy and grace. They were real people with real needs. Their greatest need was salvation. So what did He do? He gave His time. He gave His power. He gave His wisdom. And ultimately, He gave His life.
What do you see when you look at the world around you? What do you do in response to what you see? The closer we get to Christ, the more we will see what He saw. And the more we will love others like He loves others.
Father, help me to see those around me today with spiritual eyes. Fill my heart with tender compassion for the lost. May I see the world in need of Christ, and help me to point others to Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For more, read Matthew 14:14-21
