Skip to main content

Jesus Never Looked Down on Others

Jesus Never Looked Down on Others:
Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. (1 Corinthians 1:26 NIV)
Jesus never looked down on others, and that gave him the ability to see them as people. They weren't users, consumers, or customers. They were people in need of a relationship with him, not a dos-and-don'ts religion.
Once we understand our identity in Christ, we will begin to see people in a similar way. We will see that they are eternal beings, created in the image of God. We will no longer use their circumstances or sins to define who they are; we will see who they are through the eyes of Jesus.
This perspective, so different from our natural tendencies, brought out the best in the people Jesus met. He saw their true value, and, as a result, they came to know their true value.
Consider:

  • Jesus saw a woman who would sin no more when others saw a woman caught in adultery.

  • Jesus saw a man who was able to see when others saw a blind man.

  • Jesus saw a man picking up his mat to walk when others saw a cripple.

  • Jesus saw a huge yet hurting heart when others saw a wee little man named Zacchaeus.

  • Jesus saw an articulate disciple when others saw a tax collector named Matthew.

  • Jesus saw a woman of willing sacrifice when others saw wasted perfume.

  • Jesus saw a stable rock for building the Church when others saw an impulsive, impetuous disciple named Peter.

  • Jesus saw men who did not know what they were doing when others saw evil men pounding nails into a cross.
Our objective is to stop seeing others from our limited perspective and to start seeing them in the way God sees them, encouraging the best of others, bringing them to the one who wants more than all the world what is best for them - Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8-10).
Talk About It
Think of someone that you have looked down on. When God looks at you and this person, what similarities do you think he sees?
Try to spend one day seeing and hearing through the eyes and ears of Christ. How does it change the way you see others? How does it change the way you treat others?

Jon Walker is author of "Costly Grace: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's 'The Cost of Discipleship' and In Visible Fellowship: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's Classic Work 'Life Together'."
He is managing editor of Rick Warren's Daily Hope Devotionals.
This devotional © Copyright 2012 Jon Walker. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

RE: End of Year Function 2012

Hi bros and sisters   I think people will still travel on Saturday anyway to different destinations, so they can travel to Athlone Girls for our Christmas party. Personally, I think we should do the party on Saturday as original arranged and let Sunday be exclusively reserved for our praise and worship service.   Saturday we just party and have a good time!   Kind Regards   Henry Mnguni Sales Executive   Rivonia Toyota Office:        011 275 1699 Mobile:       082 325 5593 Fax2Email: 086 242 8226   C/O Rivonia Road            & Witkoppen Rivonia Crossing Sunninghill   From: Maswuma, Nelson T [mailto:nmaswuma@beckman.com] Sent: 18 October 2012 11:24 AM To: Paulin Kantue; Barnabas Chukweke; Bertha Chukweke; Henry Mnguni; Henry Mnguni; Henry Mnguni; fatamathebula@gmail.com...

Now faith...

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). Often times I believe that I have faith by what I say and think. But the more I meditate on this scripture, I see that 'being sure' comes with your body language when that situation is mentioned. You don't drop ur head; you still have a bounce in your step. Everything about you says you have a positive attitude towards that situation. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6). So it goes on a step further and says without that positive attitude and bounce in your step, God will not be pleased. For the source of that confidence comes from acknowledging God's presence in our lives and Him able to do beyond what we can imagine. "Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Is...

Affirming in Disagreement

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. -  Proverbs 15:1 Do you know how to affirm your spouse even when you disagree? It's a big step in learning how to have meaningful conversations. Take this example: A wife has shared that she is hurt by something her husband has done, and he responds, "I appreciate your sharing your ideas and feelings with me. Now I can understand why you could feel so hurt. If I were in your shoes, I'm sure I would feel the same way. I want you to know that I love you very much, and it hurts me to see you upset. I appreciate your being open with me." This husband has learned the art of affirming his wife even though he may not agree with her perception. Of course, he has a perspective and will eventually share it, but first, he wants his wife to know that he understands what she is saying and can identify with her pain. He is not condemning her interpretation, nor is he telling her that she should not feel up...