C2J Weekly: "His Eyes"

This is the seventh & title edition of a twelve-part series. In this series, we have been contemplating how our eyes seem to respond to the light so that we may be able to get a better idea of how they should work. It is my hope that with His eyes, we will be able to see the path on which we run, thereby learning how to effectively run this race.

In Luke 7, the Word says that "the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her." (emphasis mine) Consider the following: A. God is love. B. If you love someone, you will show compassion to them. C. God's eyes are filled with compassion.

Recall the story of Jonah again. What reason did he give for not going to Nineveh the first time? "You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity." Jonah had a perfect view of God's character, but did not have His eyes. So we need to not only see the point of suffering, but be compelled to act in a way that demonstrates the love of our Lord.

Ok, nice ethical ideology, but how can you apply that? Fifty-five years ago, a group of five missionaries were compelled to evangelize to a warring tribe indigenous to the rain-forests of Ecuador. They had the means to defend themselves, but when the tribe hurled spears at them, they didn't even fire a warning shot. Each man there gave up their temporal life in hopes that their enemies would gain eternal life. Out of compassion for these people they put themselves in harm's way. From there, love carried them so that the kingdom might grow. They laid down their lives to save those who could not at the time see how much compassion these five missionaries had. In the end, the families of these missionaries that lost their lives were able to go back and because of the work the missionaries did, reach the warring tribe and reveal to them what love really was. That's how the missionaries applied it; take that mindset and look for a way in your own life to let that kind of love grow.

So as a believer, you need to not only know that He is compassionate, but also request that you reflect that same attribute in your own eyes. So don't use the blind eyes of your past, but take for yourselves the eyes He gave you, fashioned with His scarred hands and purchased for you through His blood. It is my exhortation to you, that though there may be much suffering in the world, you will open your eyes, let compassion flow and allow the Merciful King use you to heal this land. 

Thought: "I have this theory, that if one will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same." -Rachel Joy Scott