When a woman began anointing Jesus with oil and washing His feet with tears, Simon who had invited Jesus said: ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner’ (Luke 7:39 NIV). Simon was more concerned about ‘right and wrong’ than he was about hurting people. He may have been theologically correct, but he lacked compassion. And Jesus confronted him about it. ‘Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?’ Simon saw her as just a sinner. But Jesus didn’t. He responded to the gift she brought and to the heart of love behind it. In determining her future potential to God’s kingdom, He didn’t consult her bad past or even refer to it. He saw her tears, understood her need, and shocked the religious crowd that day by saying, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ (v. 48 NKJV). The same happened to the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Society had told her she was unclean and unacceptable. Whoever she touched would become unclean too. But when she touched Jesus’ robe, He said: ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace’ (Luke 8:48 NIV). He didn’t call her unclean. He saw beyond that and called her daughter. Sometimes we can become hard-hearted and fail to show God’s love to those who need it. We can see people through the eyes of society and our own theology. But we should be seeing people through the eyes of Jesus. Let’s make sure that whoever we meet, we’re truly seeing them, just as Jesus does.

What Now?

Is there someone you struggle to get on with or do you know someone who other people exclude? Choose to see them through Jesus’ eyes today and think of all their good qualities.