What Do We See?

When we look around our city, what do we see? Do we see and point out all the things that are wrong in our city? Are we quick to condemn and be critical of all that is going on around us? In Luke Ch. 7, there is an interesting and convicting event that takes place. Jesus is with a Pharisee, and a woman comes and begins to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears and dry his feet with her hair. This Pharisee thinks to himself, "surely if this man were a prophet, he would know who and what this woman is." Now Jesus knowing the hearts of all men answers this man with a parable about two men being forgiven of a small and a great debt. Then he asks a question, "Seest thou this woman?"

He is asking, "What do you see?" Do you really see this woman or do you only see what is wrong with her and see all of the mistakes she has made in her life? Do you really see her? Do you see her as I see her; can you see her as God sees her? Can you see the potential in her and what could happen if she has someone who could talk with her and share the truths of God's grace with her? Can you see that she is very much like you?

If our responsibility as Christians is to bear much fruit and to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, we may need to change the way we see the things and people around us. Everyone has the right to speak, but you have to earn the right to be heard. One of the best ways to earn that right is through our service to them. Through relationships through service we gain the opportunity and the credibility to share the Gospel and the good news of God's grace.

Can you imagine what would happen if we begin to really see others as Christ sees them?