Seeing Others through the Eyes of Jesus
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
Recently, I was struck by an observation made by Chuck Swindoll in his book, “Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving.” It stunned me, not only because it was so revealing of my actions and attitudes as a parent, but also because it revealed one of my struggles as a follower of Christ. He wrote, “Be painfully honest here. Too many of us parents are far too mess-conscious to see the emerging artist. All we see are ruined carpets, stained clothes, cluttered desks, sticky fingers – one more unpleasant task added to an already busy day. We’re so quick to see the depravity that we’re blind to the marvel that God made and put in our care.”
When I became a believer, I was very rough around the edges. There was literally nothing emanating from me that said, “He’s got potential.” I was a nuisance – hateful, unkind, rude, and unbridled in speech and passion. How then can I now look at someone else and not see what God sees – a lost child seeking love and purpose?
We read in Luke 9:49-50, “John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’” Have you ever written someone off because they weren’t just like you? Have you decided someone couldn’t possibly be useful to the Kingdom of God because their personality rubs you the wrong way or they aren’t as educated, refined, or dignified as you? Do you have a hard time seeing beyond someone else’s weaknesses because they are different from yours or because their preferences don’t line up with yours? Unfortunately, this is an easy trap for us to fall into, but why? Maybe it’s pride, envy, self-righteousness, or judgmentalism. Maybe it’s all the above.
It’s no wonder the Bible constantly emphasizes “love your neighbor as yourself.” When we love others as ourselves, we are willing to see beyond their faults and our preferences. We offer grace, acceptance, understanding, and patience when needed. We do not write someone off because of their weaknesses and failures, we pray for them and walk patiently with them through their brokenness. When we love others as ourselves, we try to see them as Christ sees them (See John 8:1-11).
Jesus never calls perfect people to serve him. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” The Bible gives insight into the brokenness of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus himself. We read of the tension that existed between the disciples due to their desire for power and prestige (Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-27). We find James and John wanted to call down fire and consume some Samaritans who rejected Jesus (Luke 9:51-56). We discover Peter, James, and John fell asleep during Jesus most difficult hour (Matthew 26:36-46). We witness all the disciples forsake Jesus after his arrest (Matthew 26:56). We overhear Peter’s denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). We observe Thomas’ difficulty accepting the unseen (John 20:24-29). We are even informed that some of his disciples struggled with doubt, literally moments before he left them with the most important task on Earth – making disciples and doing the work of the Kingdom (Matthew 28:16-17). Yet, through no power of their own, this group of woefully imperfect men would turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
Praise be to God that he is not hindered by anyone’s imperfections. How incredibly beautiful the Kingdom of God could be if we could fully understand that truth, live in unity, and love one another’s uniqueness. My prayer for all of us is that we will learn to see others through the eyes of Jesus.
With Much love,
Bryan
Recently, I was struck by an observation made by Chuck Swindoll in his book, “Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving.” It stunned me, not only because it was so revealing of my actions and attitudes as a parent, but also because it revealed one of my struggles as a follower of Christ. He wrote, “Be painfully honest here. Too many of us parents are far too mess-conscious to see the emerging artist. All we see are ruined carpets, stained clothes, cluttered desks, sticky fingers – one more unpleasant task added to an already busy day. We’re so quick to see the depravity that we’re blind to the marvel that God made and put in our care.”
When I became a believer, I was very rough around the edges. There was literally nothing emanating from me that said, “He’s got potential.” I was a nuisance – hateful, unkind, rude, and unbridled in speech and passion. How then can I now look at someone else and not see what God sees – a lost child seeking love and purpose?
We read in Luke 9:49-50, “John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’” Have you ever written someone off because they weren’t just like you? Have you decided someone couldn’t possibly be useful to the Kingdom of God because their personality rubs you the wrong way or they aren’t as educated, refined, or dignified as you? Do you have a hard time seeing beyond someone else’s weaknesses because they are different from yours or because their preferences don’t line up with yours? Unfortunately, this is an easy trap for us to fall into, but why? Maybe it’s pride, envy, self-righteousness, or judgmentalism. Maybe it’s all the above.
It’s no wonder the Bible constantly emphasizes “love your neighbor as yourself.” When we love others as ourselves, we are willing to see beyond their faults and our preferences. We offer grace, acceptance, understanding, and patience when needed. We do not write someone off because of their weaknesses and failures, we pray for them and walk patiently with them through their brokenness. When we love others as ourselves, we try to see them as Christ sees them (See John 8:1-11).
Jesus never calls perfect people to serve him. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” The Bible gives insight into the brokenness of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus himself. We read of the tension that existed between the disciples due to their desire for power and prestige (Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-27). We find James and John wanted to call down fire and consume some Samaritans who rejected Jesus (Luke 9:51-56). We discover Peter, James, and John fell asleep during Jesus most difficult hour (Matthew 26:36-46). We witness all the disciples forsake Jesus after his arrest (Matthew 26:56). We overhear Peter’s denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). We observe Thomas’ difficulty accepting the unseen (John 20:24-29). We are even informed that some of his disciples struggled with doubt, literally moments before he left them with the most important task on Earth – making disciples and doing the work of the Kingdom (Matthew 28:16-17). Yet, through no power of their own, this group of woefully imperfect men would turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
Praise be to God that he is not hindered by anyone’s imperfections. How incredibly beautiful the Kingdom of God could be if we could fully understand that truth, live in unity, and love one another’s uniqueness. My prayer for all of us is that we will learn to see others through the eyes of Jesus.
With Much love,
Bryan
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