Matthew 9:35-36 – And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
THEME OF THE DAY: IN THE WAITING ROOM. Hospital waiting rooms may become valuable learning rooms. When a person finds him or herself in such a situation, three options are available. Option number one: You waste away the time scrolling through your phone or rummaging through tattered past issues of magazines which otherwise would not get the time of day from you. Not good or conducive to good soul health. Option number two: You become an expert clock-watcher checking the time every two to three minutes. Not much better than option one, though it may challenge you to think whether the Fruit of the Spirit (patience and self-control) are realities in your life or just talk. A third option: Become an observer of hurting humanity. I do not mean stare holes in people. Just look around at the pain and suffering of our fellow humans. Be observant.
I recently experienced a few hours in a waiting room and took option three. Something happens when we properly observe people. Perhaps that “something” falls under the instruction of Paul to the Philippians, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Proper observation develops interest. Interest turns to heart burdens. Heart burdens produce involvement. One major obstacle in making greater impact for Jesus is preoccupation with self and our own tiny world. Our observation may not get much farther than the home front to include the inside walls of our respective churches. Paul’s instruction to the Philippians pushes observation beyond the worlds of self and others. It cannot be overstated. Balance is important in the Christian life. Keep the scale tipped more on the self-side and watch how fast joy and peace take flight in your heart.
Moving on . . . I mentioned “something” happens when we properly observe people. Catch the words “properly observe”. That “something” not only falls in line with Paul’s instruction to the Philippians to look away from self and to others, but it lines our hearts up with the heart of Jesus. Jesus observed people – “When He saw the crowds” (Matthew 9:36a). I am thinking, “Of course He did. I mean look at verse 35. He was ministering to people, not objects. It is obvious He observed people.” Wait a minute while I dissect my last statement. There is a huge difference between observing people and properly observing people. How does one distinguish? By the heart response. Jesus observed the crowds and “He had compassion for them” (Matthew 9:36b).
I may be surrounded by masses, observing people all over the place and remain as cold as a tray of ice cubes buried in a freezer. Brothers and sisters, it is not the act of observation that matters most. It is the type of observation that matters most. Jesus-type observation includes eyes and heart. Take away the heart and it is just an indifferent looking at unknown people. Like maybe in a hospital waiting room occupied by strangers. Add the heart to the eyes in observation and now we see with compassion. Yes, still unknown people perhaps, but hurting people in need. Compassion starts to swell up inside. You will actually find yourself praying for strangers. Maybe even those in a waiting room. When Jesus-type observation begins to happen consistently, compassion takes us into the world of action. Next time you find yourself in a checkout line or a waiting room, practice some Jesus-type observation. It makes all the difference in the world!
Prayer: “Father, let us see as Jesus sees, feel as Jesus feels, and live as Jesus lived. May the Gospel become powerfully alive in us, even today.”
Quote: “Christians, all Christians, are in the people business; the business of loving them to Jesus.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim