Seeing With The Eyes Of Jesus

Jesus saw the huge crowd . . . and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34

AMERICAN LIFE IS characterized by busyness. Ask anyone how they are doing and you’re likely to hear, “I’m good. Busy, but good.” The hustle and bustle of our daily lives can cause us to become so focused on our own needs, agendas, and to-do lists that we don’t have the capacity to see or step into the needs of others. When unexpected interactions come along in our day, it’s easy to see them as interruptions.

In Mark 6, when Jesus and His disciples have an unexpected interaction with a large crowd, Jesus sees it not as an interruption but as a Kingdom opportunity. His seeing leads to compassion, and His compassion leads to care.

As you go about your day, you will likely catch glimpses of people in need if you’re paying attention. Whether it is someone on the street, at work, or somewhere else, there are needs all around you that can tug at your heart. However, seeing their needs and feeling pity doesn’t always lead us to action. In Mark 1:41, we’re told that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” He reached out and healed the man. That’s what compassion is: emotion and action. When Jesus saw the plight of helpless people, He was moved by their circumstances to the point that His compassion led to action. Don’t stop at merely feeling emotion.

BOTTOM LINE

Seeing people with the eyes of Jesus moves us to compassion and leads us to care for others.

Moment of Strength: Mark 6:30-44