Jesus said, “I saw you”
An elderly Christian lady, who was crippled with arthritis, used to hobble to the services of the church on crutches. It was a great ordeal and required of her a considerable amount of toil and pain. A friend of hers observed her regular and faithful attendance and asked, "How do you manage to be at every service?" Her answer was, "My heart gets there first, and my old legs just follow after."
After reading any of today’s newspapers or watching TV is it little wonder why many are cautious about meeting new people. No doubt Jesus could have given in to the temptation to doubt people’s intention. Yet we see He maintained a positive attitude toward every person He met. Jesus looked at people’s ability because He knew they were all made in the image of God. Christ’s love helped Him look for the best value in people, regardless of their background. We want to discover how Christ’s attitude will make better our relationships by choosing to look for the good in people. Have you told someone this week, “I like you?”
John 1: 46-51
1. Jesus took time center on people’s strong points rather than their weak point. The Lord was a master at human analysis. He was aware that people are much more open to someone who sees their positive features rather than their shortcomings. When Jesus first saw Nathaniel approaching He said of him, "Here is a true Israelite who is sincere." The Lord knew how to begin any relationship with a positive affirmation that would remain a solid basis for a lifetime. “Come and see.” This was the best way to answer Nathaniel. He did not sit down to reason with him, or wonder about the possibility that a good thing could come from Nazareth; but he asked him to go and examine for himself, to see the Lord Jesus, to hear him converse, to lay aside his prejudice, and to judge from a fair and candid personal inquiry. So we should request others to lay aside their narrow-mindedness against following Christ. If men can be persuaded to come to Jesus, all their insignificant and unwise doubts will break down. They will be satisfied from their own experience that it is true, and in this way only will they ever be satisfied. Only Jesus can satisfy. My children don’t be discouraged, for I am by your side, No matter where you run to, or where you try to hide. I am with you always and I will forever stay, closer than your shadow, both through night and day. I love you so much, I even sent My Son, so come to me child, before the day is done. I know your heart is heavy and you just want to cry; as you cry out in the silence, saying, "why oh why. Did this happen to me because I am mortal man?" I assure you child, this was also in my plan. You don’t see it now and you may not in earth’s long day, but I assure you my precious one, that all will be okay. I know that sometimes the load is hard to bear, but I am right beside you, your heavy load to share. Lift up your fainting heart; put your trust in me, as I cradle you gently calling "come now to me." My child, I love you, more than words can tell, Can’t you hear me whisper in the storms mighty yell? Do not be discouraged; I am always near, your every whispered word, I so long to hear. Lift up your countenance, seek my loving face, I love you my child and will discouragement erase. Come to Me, My beloved, know that I am nigh, I will always listen to hear your heartfelt cry. Come to Me, My child, I am by your side, No matter where you run to, or where you try to hide.
2. Jesus saw in people what they could become instead of what they were not. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The Lord wants everyone to reach greatest possibility. He wants people to be filled with the fullness of His power, wisdom and truth. There is not place that God is not. There is not time when God is not. There is no state where God is not. He is everywhere at all times. I love that story about Ignance Paderewski, the famous Polish pianist. Once when he was touring, a mother wishing to encourage her son in his piano took him to the concert. Arriving early, they found their seats. She began talking with someone and the young boy eyeing the majestic Steinway on the stage slipped out of his seat. The boy made his way up on the stage undetected and sat down and began playing chopsticks. As he was playing, the lights dimmed for Paderewski’s entrance. Then the mother and all the audience eyed the boy and heard the feeble attempts at the piano. The crowd booed. Some shouted from him to get off the stage. Paderewski, seeing the drama unfolding, quickly emerged on stage without introduction and came to the boy. He leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Don’t quit. Keep playing." Then the surrounded the boy and began to fill in the parts to this simple song. The young novice and great master mesmerized the audience with their stirring rendition. Once finished the crowd gave them a standing ovation. In much, the same way God comes to us. He says, "Don’t quit. Keep going." He then reaches around envelopes and us in his presence. He gives us the strength, the courage, the will, and the hope to keep going.
3. Jesus assumed that every one of us wants real answers to our questions. After the disciples joined in the feeding of the 5,000 they asked Jesus, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." The Lord knew that the disciples really wanted a straight answer that could guide them in their planning, attitudes and actions. Jesus taught the disciples that by growing in their faith through obedience, they really would please God. Jesus knew that life’s most difficult tasks involve a working out of our spiritual love and duty. We need to pray this kind of prayer: Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin. Let me use disappointment as material for patience, Let me use success as material for thankfulness, Let me use suspense as material for perseverance, Let me use danger as material for courage, Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering; Let me use praise as material for humility, Let me use pleasures as material for temperance, Let me use pains as material for endurance.
4. Jesus refused to embrace any grudges. The Lord taught that people become bitter by their own resentments, likings and dislikes. For this reason when Peter asked Jesus, "How many times should I forgive my brother, up to seven times?" Jesus said, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." We need to Ask Jesus for help to be able forgive members of your family, close friends, or even those you are working with. Unless we give our grumbling over to the Lord it will act as a force between people and do great harm.
Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope sweetens while bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone. Hope believes when evidence is eliminated. Hope listens for answers when no one is talking. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. Hope endures hardship when no on is caring. Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing. Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing. Hope brings the victory when no one is winning. John Maxwell
5. Jesus does not want us to hate those who embrace grudges against us. We need to not be influenced by them. Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he will not listen, take one or two others along. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." As long as we are willing to fulfill our accountability of starting an understanding with a disagreeable or an upset friend, we are released from all blame. The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted ’The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." "These jars came from the same factory and were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained. Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. "When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset, we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for ’out of the treasure of the heart his mouth speaks.’" What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and rudeness? This may be the day that someone who upsets you may be just looking for some honey, don’t give them vinegar!
6. Jesus will give out thoughtful admiration to build up our sense of worth. Jesus showed this when he said "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist." The Lord wanted everyone to think highly of John the Baptist for his faith, courage and his singularly minded commitment to preparing a way for Christ’s ministry. He openly said praise, declaration and support for those who are following in the steps of our Lord.
7. Jesus stands up for believers when they were being wrongly accused. One day the Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus said, "Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." The Lord had a firm but kind way of maintaining His rights and the privileges granted on those who were His followers in the ministry.
8. Christ’s great Sermon on the Mount began with the words, "Blessed are you". The Lord knew that everyone has a hunger for supernatural blessings, benefits and power. Everyone in the crowd must have studied to hear every word Jesus spoke that day because of the affirming way that He lead up to each truth. You will always win more people with goodness than with condemnation. Put away any partiality you might have towards relying on the negatives and believe the best that each person can be in the Lord. Ask God for the ability to believe the best in every situation, cause and circumstance. He will direct your path and teach you to see things that are invisible to most.
There is song that I want to read the words to as we close "Just Give Me Jesus." “In the morning, when I rise, in the morning, when I rise, in the morning, when I rise Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus. When I am alone, when I am alone, when I am alone, give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus. When I come to die, when I come to die, when I come to die, give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus. Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, you can have all this world, you can have all this world, just give me Jesus.
