Jesus Saw into Their Hearts...What About You?

"When he SAW the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36 NIV)

Do you ever feel like you are with someone who sees you, but doesn't REALLY SEE you?

I had that experience recently and can tell you from firsthand experience, it is not very fun. It happened to me in a doctor's office. Now, most of the time, I feel inferior already upon entering into the "medical world". I am usually with one or both of my children...mildly distracted because I have a child/children with me and I am trying to keep them happy. And I don't know about you, but, it seems I always walk out of a doctor's office with that "one more question" I wish I had asked.

So, on this occasion, the doctor entered the room, immediately started talking medical jargon without even a hello, and poked and prodded my little guy. He then threw around some words I did not understand, said he needed to check on something else, left the office and shut the door (fairly hard I might add) and left me sitting there dumbfounded with a big question mark written all over my face. I know doctors can often be in a hurry because they are trying to get through all their patients and not keep people waiting too long, but I felt like he did not even see my child or myself. I already felt a bit anxious about this appointment because my eight month old son has Down Syndrome and every doctor's appointment feels like I am entering new territory, but to come in to see a "specialist" and to basically be looked at but not SEEN in any deep, meaningful way... yes, that left me feeling a little worse.

We all have situations like this in life, when we feel like we are with someone, but they are not really WITH us. The play on words is similar to when you are growing up and you say "Do you like him? And your friend says, "Yes, I do like him" and you clarify by asking again " No, do you like LIKE him?" and now the question takes on a different meaning. So it is with being seen. Someone can see us. Someone can even hear us...but are they really seeing us? Are they really hearing us? I don't know about you, but I can easily spot the difference.

Now Jesus was different. When He was with people, He was truly present with them. He saw them. He even looked beyond what people said and was able to look into their hearts.

In Matthew 9:36, it says, "When he SAW the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus did not see the crowds and then look past them. Jesus did not see the crowds and get irritated because He had more important things on His agenda. No, He saw the crowds and He had compassion on them. He really saw them, and saw that they seemed aimless, saw that they had needs, and saw that they were helpless. They were like sheep wandering around without a shepherd to guide them. They needed help. But instead of Jesus being frustrated by their needs, they moved Him.

May we be more like Jesus and slow down long enough to really see the people who come across our path today. Believe me, it can make a world of difference!