The Way to See: "Walk This Way" series Week 7

“Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.” Mark 10:21

These are the words that have dominated my thoughts over the past couple of weeks. “LOOKING” and “LOVE” are the words that have specifically caught my attention and tugged at my heart. They've reminded me not only of how seen and loved we all are but also of how we all should see and love others. Jesus was able to respond authentically to the man’s question in this passage in Mark 10 because he genuinely saw him, and he does this with everyone he encounters.

With the paralyzed man in John 5, it says, “When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, 'Would you like to get well?’” (John 5:6). Then he healed him.

In the story of Zacchaeus, an unliked tax collector, it says, “When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” (Luke 19:5)

In the story of the woman at the well, we read that Jesus knew all about her past after he had lovingly told her he was the living water she was seeking. She excitedly left, saying, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (John 4:29)

In Matthew 9:9, it says, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.”

Then again, in Matthew 9, we read about the woman who simply wanted to touch the fringe of Jesus’ robe so she could be healed from twelve years of bleeding. In verse 22, it says, “Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, 'Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.”

Over and over, in these and more examples. Jesus SEES and he KNOWS and he LOVES in response. 

While the verse from Mark 10 is from last week’s reading and message on generosity, it flows perfectly into and through this week’s message in the "Walk This Way" series, taught so beautifully by Pastor Rick Ertell, on caring for those most in need. (Matthew 25:31-40.) 

In this passage, we hear Jesus say, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

It’s clear from this passage that Jesus notices when we SEE others’ needs and respond to them in love, as he would. By reading further in Matthew 25, it’s also clear that a response to those in need is expected. Matthew 25:45-46 says, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Pastor Rick’s driving questions in his sermon were, “Who are the least of these?” and “How do we meet these needs?” He described five categories of needs and then asked those listening to give some examples of who they see in the community or world that fit into these categories. I found the category breakdown so helpful as well as so representative of each of the people we saw Jesus encounter and help. 

Here are the categories Pastor Rick gave with some brief explanations or examples:

1. Financially poor: those who lack resources, have food insecurity, who don’t have the right clothes to wear for a job or a job interview, or who don’t have a car to get to a job.

2. Physically poor: those who lack good health, whom we can comfort, encourage, pray for, and with. 

3. Socially poor: those who lack friendships, family, are lonely.

4. Emotionally poor: those who feel alone, are misunderstood, or have suffered abuse. We can show them care, follow up with them, be consistent and present in their lives.

5. Spiritually poor: Those who don’t know God or don’t have an active, close relationship with Him. They don’t realize the full potential and worth they’ve received as children of God.

After explaining these categories, the response from the congregation was such a great example of the heart of Ascension Lutheran Church. I’ve mentioned in previous posts the incredible hearts of service the people in this church have, and the responses were simply more proof of that.

 I love that one of the first suggestions was to respond to needs as we SEE them! For example, if someone’s car breaks down, they said we can stop to help. It reminds me that to serve as Jesus, we don't need to overcomplicate it. Sometimes we need to simply be interruptable (like Jesus demonstrated repeatedly!), not so busy that we don’t see the needs around us, or so busy that we do see them but don’t make time for them. 

Someone also said we can all be first responders by calling for help when someone is in an accident or needs help. Other suggestions included inviting someone to church who seems lonely, providing financial support to immigrants who are afraid to go to work right now, helping foster children or children who have been through abuse or neglect, singing Christian songs to people in memory care and nursing homes, helping financially those who are struggling to make ends meet, telling people the good news of Christ who haven’t heard it or need the reminder, being kind and generous to the neighbors we live near, providing donations or other support to those affected by disasters. This list is only some of the outreach I see already happening at my church, and as Pastor Rick said, “You’re just the way Jesus wants his church to look, not because of how you might be dressed, but because of WHO YOU ARE.”

He also said, “We need to see each other’s needs because we are all lacking something.” 

I loved that line. It is so very true and so very much the heart of Jesus. Every encounter we read about shows his incredible insight into who each person is and what they truly need. Perhaps that is why I can’t stop hearing those words: He LOOKED, or He SAW, or He LOVED, or He HEALED, or He INVITED. It’s incredibly comforting to know Jesus is doing this all the time. I see Jesus everywhere in the eyes and hands and feet of his people, and I see him when I pray, knowing he hears and responds in love.

I pray I can continue to SEE like Jesus and respond the way Jesus would want me to respond. I pray also that I remember I am SEEN. I pray this for you, too.

May we all truly see each other and do as Paul says in Galatians 6:9-10: “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

Journaling Ideas:

• Who is on your heart that you can help? Write a prayer for this person or group of people, and also ask for God's discernment and guidance on what you can do.

• Read Mark 10:46-52 (Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus). Picture Jesus looking at you and asking the same question he asks in Mark 10:51: "What do you want me to do for you?" Write your thoughts and give him thanks for hearing and providing for you in his timing and in his will.

  
  

• Read any or all of the passages I listed where Jesus saw and responded to others. Write what stands out to you and what verses speak to your heart. How does Jesus see you? How does he see those you love and care about, or conversely, those you might struggle to understand?

  
  

• Write a prayer asking God to give you his eyes to see the needs around you and for his strength and guidance in finding ways to help.