Seeing through Jesus' eyes!

Zacchaeus was an easy man to dislike. As a tax collector for an unfair occupying government, he had made himself rich by overcharging his countrymen. Yet, to the dismay of the crowd, Jesus honored him by going to his house and eating with him. Should we not do the same? Being Jesus to whoever or wherever we might see or be present with?

A judge with a reputation for toughness showed me by his actions how he learned to relate to unlovable people. It seems that Sunday morning sermon his minister urged the congregation to try to look at people through the eyes of Jesus. A few days later the judge was about to give a stiff sentence to an arrogant young man who kept getting in trouble. But then he remembered what the minister had suggested. So with that love of Jesus guiding him, he looked this young man in the eye and told him he thought he was a bright and talented human being. And then said to him, let’s talk together about how we can get you living in more motivated and fruitful ways. The prisoner and the judge had a surprisingly good conversation. This judge being Christ like toward this criminal had a positive effect on this young man’s life.

Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a sinner with an empty hole that only He could fill, and through His kindness Zacchaeus was transformed. The judge could not report any such change at that very moment, but I know the long term outcome was? He had set a good example for me, because he saw me through the eyes of Jesus. It was then quite a few years for real change to happen but eventually it did. So never think a kindness done in the name of Jesus ever returns void.

We all have heard of the blessings Jesus spoke of in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-10). Here's a "blessing" from the Old Testament that is less well-known: "Blessed is he who considers the poor" (Psalm 41:1). The Hebrew words I crossreferenced with Strongs translated "considers" means "to take thought for others." The word translated "poor" means "those in need."

There are many people around us who are poor in love and in hope, those in need of a kind loving word. Even the hard hearted in-mate needs to feel they are loved, and in the thoughts of God. Even though we cannot solve all their problems, we can show them that we care. We may not have lots of money, but we can give of ourselves. We can let needy people know that we're thinking of them. We can listen as they tell their stories. We can treat them with courtesy and respect. We can pray for them. We can write letters of encouragement. We can tell them about Jesus. If we can do nothing else, we can love them.

Think about those who live only for themselves, always trying to get ahead, looking for the next thing to make them happy. Compare them with people who give themselves to others. Which ones possess inner calm, strength, and joy?

The place of God's blessing is easily entered: Consider the poor, love the unlovely, Rescue the Captives, whether homeless, or in prison or sitting right beside you in the pew.



We need to see through Jesus' eyes, our neighbors who are lost
For then we will reach out to them, regardless of the cost
We need to see through Jesus’ eyes,the needy on the street
Feeding their body and their soul with Jesus' love oh so sweet
Not in having or receiving, but in giving there is joyful bliss
He who has no other pleasure, always may he rejoice in this?

In Christ,
Sandy Perry
03/29/10
Micah 6:8