The Daily Devotional
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Seen by God
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Seen by God
Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him.
Luke 18:40a
Introduction
In Luke 18:40, we are given a glimpse of Jesus' compassionate heart: "Jesus stood still." This simple act of stopping in His tracks signifies something profound about the nature of God's attention towards us. It echoes in the modern-day story of Jun, a humble street cleaner, who showed unparalleled compassion by rescuing a frail cat and bringing it into his home, where he already cared for two dogs, also rescued from the streets. Jun's words, "I care for them because they’re the creatures no one notices, I see myself in them. No one notices a street sweeper, after all," speak volumes about the unnoticed in our midst.
Reflection
Jun's story serves as a poignant reminder of God's perspective on humanity. In our society, where a person's value is often assessed based on their social status, wealth, or physical appearance, many people feel as invisible as the stray animals Jun came across. However, Jun's actions are a reflection of Christ's love and attention to those who are often forgotten or ignored. This is exemplified in the biblical account of Jesus stopping for a blind beggar on His way to Jerusalem. While the world overlooked this man, Jesus demonstrated that every individual is significant and cherished, regardless of their position in society.
This theme is vividly illustrated in the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus made His way towards Jerusalem, passing by Jericho, He encountered a blind man begging by the roadside, a man who felt neglected by the world. On this particular day, with the crowd's focus entirely on Jesus, not a single person stopped to help the beggar. But Jesus, amidst the chaos and noise of the crowd, heard the desperate call of this overlooked man. In a profound moment of compassion and connection, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man's heartfelt plea was to regain his sight. Jesus' response, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you" (Luke 18:41-42), is a powerful testament to His acknowledgment of the forgotten and His ability to transform lives through faith and love.
Application
We are called to see the world through Jesus' eyes—to notice the unnoticed and care for the forgotten. This could mean reaching out to someone who is struggling silently, offering a kind word to those who feel undervalued, or simply being present for someone who is often overlooked. Like Jun, we can find a deep connection and purpose in helping those who are considered insignificant by the world's standards.
Conclusion
In moments when we feel invisible, our cries seemingly drowned out by those deemed more important, it's heartening to remember that our Savior always notices those overlooked by the world. Just as Jun's compassionate care for neglected animals reflects a profound truth, so does the story of the blind man on the road to Jericho. It reminds us that we are never invisible to God. Each one of us is seen and valued by Him, a comforting and hopeful realization in a world where it's all too easy to feel lost in the crowd. This assurance encourages us to reach out to Him for support, knowing that while others may pass us by, He will always stop for us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for seeing us, for noticing us when the world walks by. Help us to have eyes like Yours, to see those who feel invisible and to show Your love and compassion to them. May we be reminded through the example of Jun, and Your loving act towards the blind man, that everyone matters in Your eyes. Guide us to be instruments of Your love in a world that often overlooks the least of these. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
In Luke 18:40, we are given a glimpse of Jesus' compassionate heart: "Jesus stood still." This simple act of stopping in His tracks signifies something profound about the nature of God's attention towards us. It echoes in the modern-day story of Jun, a humble street cleaner, who showed unparalleled compassion by rescuing a frail cat and bringing it into his home, where he already cared for two dogs, also rescued from the streets. Jun's words, "I care for them because they’re the creatures no one notices, I see myself in them. No one notices a street sweeper, after all," speak volumes about the unnoticed in our midst.
Reflection
Jun's story serves as a poignant reminder of God's perspective on humanity. In our society, where a person's value is often assessed based on their social status, wealth, or physical appearance, many people feel as invisible as the stray animals Jun came across. However, Jun's actions are a reflection of Christ's love and attention to those who are often forgotten or ignored. This is exemplified in the biblical account of Jesus stopping for a blind beggar on His way to Jerusalem. While the world overlooked this man, Jesus demonstrated that every individual is significant and cherished, regardless of their position in society.
This theme is vividly illustrated in the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus made His way towards Jerusalem, passing by Jericho, He encountered a blind man begging by the roadside, a man who felt neglected by the world. On this particular day, with the crowd's focus entirely on Jesus, not a single person stopped to help the beggar. But Jesus, amidst the chaos and noise of the crowd, heard the desperate call of this overlooked man. In a profound moment of compassion and connection, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man's heartfelt plea was to regain his sight. Jesus' response, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you" (Luke 18:41-42), is a powerful testament to His acknowledgment of the forgotten and His ability to transform lives through faith and love.
Application
We are called to see the world through Jesus' eyes—to notice the unnoticed and care for the forgotten. This could mean reaching out to someone who is struggling silently, offering a kind word to those who feel undervalued, or simply being present for someone who is often overlooked. Like Jun, we can find a deep connection and purpose in helping those who are considered insignificant by the world's standards.
Conclusion
In moments when we feel invisible, our cries seemingly drowned out by those deemed more important, it's heartening to remember that our Savior always notices those overlooked by the world. Just as Jun's compassionate care for neglected animals reflects a profound truth, so does the story of the blind man on the road to Jericho. It reminds us that we are never invisible to God. Each one of us is seen and valued by Him, a comforting and hopeful realization in a world where it's all too easy to feel lost in the crowd. This assurance encourages us to reach out to Him for support, knowing that while others may pass us by, He will always stop for us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for seeing us, for noticing us when the world walks by. Help us to have eyes like Yours, to see those who feel invisible and to show Your love and compassion to them. May we be reminded through the example of Jun, and Your loving act towards the blind man, that everyone matters in Your eyes. Guide us to be instruments of Your love in a world that often overlooks the least of these. In Jesus' name, Amen.
-------------------------
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
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