Join us this Sunday! In-Person 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am, Online 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am, Online 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

SEEING IS BELIEVING

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’” – Luke 10:33-35.

A man went to big cities and stood in a corner, looking up at the buildings around him. He just stood there, focused on a spot on one of the buildings. It didn’t take long before a group gathered around him, trying to see whatever he was trying to see. That’s when he would stop looking at the building and begin to watch the crowds. They had no idea why they were looking at the building, but as they looked, more people stopped to look at what they were looking at.

As Christians, we want to see what Jesus is seeing. We want to be so good at seeing what Jesus is seeing that others will stand around and wonder what we’re looking at. We want to allow Jesus to use our eyes and energies to address today’s world’s needs.

To see what Jesus is looking at, we need to slow down to see people. We need to do more than notice and acknowledge them. We need to be fully present so that you can truly see them. We don’t wait for problems to come to us. We actively search for those in need and work to address those needs even before being asked.

In Luke 19, we read the story of Zacchaeus. As a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus had his financial needs met. With so many people suffering from poverty and physical needs, why did Jesus choose to spend time in Zacchaeus’s home? Jesus saw past the exterior trappings of wealth, recognizing that Zacchaeus had a need only He could meet. Zacchaeus’s salvation became Jesus’ mission because even a wealthy tax collector needed to experience God’s love.

 Every day, we meet people whose needs are not always instantly recognizable. Not everyone climbs a tree to see us. Ask God to give you an open eye and listening ear.

The difference between helping when asked and taking initiative is not just a matter of being reactive versus proactive. It’s a fundamentally different way of seeing the needs of others.

If we pay attention to and actively seek ways to help others, we will become more aware of their needs.

  

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can we better see the needs of people closest to us?
  2. How might God want to use us to meet those needs?

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