Can I Borrow Your Glasses?

Today's passage comes from Luke 13:10-17.

It is about the healing of a woman who was bent over and could not straighten up for 18 years. And Jesus saw her and healed her. But the twist of the story was the leader of the synagogue became angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath day.

R. K. Hughes shares:

"This healing was a taste of the kingdom power that Christ has worked throughout history. Jesus sees us in our need and, even more significant, our deepest inward deformities. If we could see others as Jesus sees them, we would see dead people."

- R. K. Hughes

The point of Luke is that Jesus sees souls in need of a savior.

During my mission trip to Japan, we visited Kyoto. Kyoto is known for two big things: tourism and idol worship. Many tourists go to see the numerous temples and shrines on the mountain. In one sense, it is a beautiful place full of culture and history. But spiritually, it is a dark place. You would see the older generation teaching, the younger how to clap, bow and throw money in so that the gods and idols can grant them success in life and good health. You would see people praying and crying, really believing the statues are hearing them and answering their prayers.

One guy on our team shared how he wished this mountain would crumble down because he was angry at all the idolatry. He shared, "Who do they think they are praying to?! It's just statutes, and someone is getting all their money!"

I get where he was coming from. I empathized with him.

As a team, we were feeling many things. Some were sad, angry, grieved, and confused.

So as the team leader, I took them to the top of the mountain and looked out into the city of Kyoto. I told them to look at all the temples and shrines. But also to look at all the people… all the souls.

Then I began playing the song "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin.

You're the God of this city

You're the King of these people

You're the Lord of this nation

You're the light in this darkness

You're the hope to the hopeless

You're the peace to the restless

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

As the lyrics slowly rolled out and seeped into their hearts, all their sadness, anger, and confusion turned into tears of prayer.

What had happened?

Jesus Christ allowed us to see idol worshippers as human beings and souls who needed a Savior.

Jesus Christ, for a moment, loaned us his spiritual glasses to peak into eternity. Jesus Christ gave us a heart transplant to beat with his love.

Personally, I often go to that moment with my team because I forget the way Jesus sees others. I often forget that Jesus cares deeply and eternally for a woman who was bent over for 18 years. For the millions of people who clap, bow and throw money in and pray to idols. For the thousands of tourists who come to watch and take pictures. God sees them all as souls, and he deeply cares.

Why?

Because there is no one like our God. And…greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city.

What would it look like today to borrow Jesus' glasses as you look at your family? Your co-workers? Your neighbors?

Perhaps, just like my team, all your sadness, anger, and confusion may turn into tears of prayer. And maybe, you too will sing, “You're the God of this city, You're the King of my family, You're the Lord of this company.” Because there is no one like our God. And greater things are yet to come.

Pastor Sean

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