MORE THOUGHTS LIKE YESTERDAY

After writing yesterday’s post on sticking it to the man, I have been reflecting a little. This morning I was thinking about a story about Jesus. Jesus had been traveling through towns and villages, teaching where people gathered, explaining the kingdom of God, healing their diseases and their broken lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. They were so confused and aimless, like sheep with no shepherd.

I’ve heard this story before, several times in fact, but this morning it read differently than any other time. In the original language of the story, Jesus heart isn’t what broke...it was his bowels. Sorry for the imagery, but it’s the truth. The NIV translates the word as compassion. When Jesus looked at these people, he physically hurt in his gut. Do you ever remember when that special someone broke up with you before you were ready? She ended up finding a new love before you and when you found out you had this pain in your gut. That’s the heart break that Jesus felt. Why do I not feel that for the people I know who are without Jesus?

Why did Jesus’ heart break? It broke because he saw the people as confused and aimless. Again, in the original language, it may have sounded more like this, “His heart broke for them because they were pinned down and getting beat up.” Now the picture is becoming clearer. I could never walk by a young innocent person, who is pinned down and being beaten up by a bigger bully. Jesus’ perspective was different.

In order for me to ever see people the way Jesus sees them, I must get past the bully that has them pinned down. I must see that the bully is the behavior, no matter how ugly or consensual it may be. Apart from the freeing love of Christ, we are just getting bullied around by an enemy that doesn’t want anything to do with us. If we ever hope to see people transformed into who God wants them to be, we must be willing to befriend them right where they are...warts and all.

Matthew 9.36 (MESSAGE)
When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.