http://bible.com/events/679023
“Eyes to See”
Luke 7:36-50 NIV
As we realize the depth of our sin, we understand the depth of God’s forgiveness
When we consider this encounter through the perspective of Simon the Pharisee, we understand that his problem was blindness.
- Simon did not see the woman
“Then he [Jesus] turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?”
Luke 7:44
The challenge is to see beyond someone’s past and beyond their brokenness, but instead to see what Jesus see.
All Simon could see was her past, but Jesus saw her future.
2. Simon did not see himself
Simon was so focused on “the sinner” in his presence that he was totally unaware of his own sin.
““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:3-4 NIV
Jesus doesn’t seek to address the amount of sin, but rather the awareness of sin.
3. Simon did not see his savior
“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “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 blinded by his skepticism, his doubts, even his religious duty in such a way could not see that the Son of God was in His presence.
A simple but profound prayer….
“Lord, give me eyes to see”
A. Eyes to see others
To Jesus there were never any invisible people.
What would happen if we lived our lives that way?
What would change?
Who would we begin to see that we’ve never seen before?
B. Eyes to see myself
Before I am quick to point out the sin in someone else, may I stop to see the pain in my heart.
Being aware of my own need is where transformation begins.
C. Eyes to see my Savior
It does not matter if your sin is obvious (the sinful woman) or hidden (Simon the Pharisee), He is the Savior of all.
As my eyes are open to see the needs of others and as my eyes are open to see my own need, I can see clearly that He is enough.