“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty . . . and did not help you?” (Matt. 25:44)
Expanded Passage: Matthew 25:44-46
In his lyrics to the song “Everything Is Beautiful,” Ray Stevens used the thought, “There is none so blind as he who will not see.” The implication is that the person in question is not physically blind, but fails to see what is obvious to others.
Likely every husband has, at one time or another, heard his wife say, “Did you see the color of her dress?” Or “Did you notice her new hairstyle?” The husband had to admit he did not see it. Likewise, he may have said to his wife, “Did you see that cool sports car we just passed?” And she answered, “No, I didn’t notice it.”
The point is that we can be so absorbed in the things that matter to us that we fail to notice what’s important to others. A less charitable way to say it is that we are self-absorbed and not open to the needs of others.
Dress colors, hairstyles, and sports cars are in one category, but people in need form another category altogether. No wonder Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (Matt. 13:16).
May God give us eyes to see those who have needs all around us. And may he give us ears to hear their stories and respond with compassion.
Ask God to refocus your eyes to see what is truly important.
Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Carol, live in Michigan and have two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
