Through Fresh Eyes
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? (John 8:3-5, ESV)
For Insight
A friend is preparing to have a medical procedure. She is not familiar with the doctor who will perform it. I like her take on it. Even though its something that any patient would feel more comfortable having someone they know, she has chosen to think maybe its going to be good having someone with fresh eyes address her medical issue. Because of that viewpoint she is not feeling anxious or worried.
Jesus always came with, not only a fresh perspective, but fresh eyes. The men brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus to have him judge her. It was their way of shaming her and testing Jesus. But Jesus both surprised and disappointed them by not only refusing to judge her, but turning the situation around and in the end the woman’s accusers were so uncomfortable they could not stay. They could not take a chance of being publicly humiliated or judged by Jesus. No one knows what Jesus wrote but they knew.
The scribes and Pharisees saw an opportunity to flex power and position, but through fresh eyes Jesus saw opportunity to issue grace and mercy. To extend forgiveness and restore dignity. He looked at the woman, not through the eyes of the Law or to publicly shame her, but saw her need for forgiveness and release. This woman left Jesus’ presence with her life, with a chance to continue her life in a fresh way. She was brought to Christ with her head down but left with her head held high.
When we’ve wrestled with something, turned it over and over in our mind or heart and getting nowhere, seeing that problem or situation from our perspective and understanding, we need Jesus to enter in with his fresh eyes to shed light, give direction, give clarity. We may be beating ourselves up, or seeing something from a position of hopelessness but through fresh eyes Jesus can show us where there is hope and possibility. Our darkness is a perfect place for God to shine light. Like the scribes and Pharisees who have decided our verdict is guilty but Jesus has an entirely different take.
There is great power in seeing something through the eyes of Jesus. like the women caught in adultery, there is opportunity, openings, new beginnings, and liberation.
Praying John 8:3-5
Jesus, through your eyes we can be set free! You look and assess our situations—not from the world’s point of view—but through heaven’s. Today I ask you to look at my circumstances with fresh eyes. Help me to see what You see. Amen
Challenge
What are you looking at through your eyes? Invite Jesus to look at your circumstances, troubles, challenges, through His eyes.
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 