SEEING WITH EYES OF FAITH
Jenna Worsham and Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24, ESV
Theme: You are not what people see. Others are more valuable than you can imagine. Faith makes seeing their value possible.
LITTLE BOY AND JAP
Throughout the movie “Little Boy,” wrong judgements and rude nicknames are bestowed based on appearances. It was difficult to watch as townsfolk taunted and harmed Pepper for his small stature, obsession with magical faith, and for his association with Hashimoto, who was abused for being of Japanese descent. Their unlikely friendship highlights the differences we allow to divide us, but also reveals our potential to rise above the ugliness perpetuated by our own cultures (in this case, the prejudices fueled by war). What Pepper’s peers saw as weakness propelled him to forge a relationship with someone different from himself in a time when most people could not imagine trading persecution for common courtesy, much less kindness.
FAITH LIKE THE ROMAN SOLDIER
In both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we hear the story of a Roman Centurion, who sought out Jesus for the healing of his servant. He crossed cultural lines, risked rejection and ridicule, and reached out in great faith to the One he had only heard of through stories of the crowds and healing. His desperation, like Pepper’s, caused him to step outside the norms. Matthew says he “appealed” to Jesus. Luke says he sent an emissary of important Jews to plead with Jesus. He did not try to command Him. And all this for a servant! What compassion!
The Centurion showed no sense of entitlement. As an overlord of the occupying force in Israel, that would have been the most likely human response. Yet, when Jesus agreed to come to his home and heal his servant, the Roman did not want to inconvenience Him; did not want to presume to command Jesus; did not feel worthy to have the Lord enter his gentile abode. Far from the cultural and religious differences separating them, the Centurion allowed the great gap between his humanity and the holy Son of God to break his heart and embolden his faith. And Jesus commends him for it! More than any Jews, he understood the power and authority of Jesus Christ and was humbled, not offended.
WHERE DOES YOUR DESPERATION LEAD YOU?
In times of medical crisis, civic turmoil, or financial upheaval, what does your fear cause you to do? Blame others? Pull away from God in the crisis? Just as the attack on Pearl Harbor turned into hatred for the Japanese, there were attacks on Asians after Coronavirus was discovered to have started in China. There is hatred for opposing political parties. Often, believers have a bias against people with a cultural agenda that does not match their own. Our compassion for the immigrant or the person of another faith is sometimes strained by our fear. But mercy and compassion can be felt and shown, even in radically opposing situations, if we do not operate out of fear but out of the power and love of a holy God.
Make It Personal: If I look at my life for areas of fear, I often look for someone or something to blame. They can become the enemy. Be wary of this transference! Love people, even the ones who are different. Care for the ones who think and look and act in ways you don’t understand. God loves them. And He commands me to love them also!
Pray: Father God, help me to look at the beautiful creation and child of God in each person I meet. Though they may not yet believe in Your Son, You believe in them and love them with a sacrificial love. Help me to do the same. Help me to operate in faith, crossing all sorts of boundaries to reach others for You, and to judge rightly in my dealings with every person. Spirit, give me discernment. Spirit, convict me of wrong-thinking and biases. Help me have great faith, believing in the worth of others because of You, Lord Jesus. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Luke 7:1-10; Galatians 3:23-29; Genesis 1:26-31
Weekly Memory Verse: “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20b, ESV