Jesus With Drunkards

Jesus´ life was a constant battle with the society where He lived. He viewed things in a different light than humans do. For that reason, He was out of adjustment with those around Him here on earth. It also means that He was in alignment with Heaven and His Father. He should be our example to follow.

We see the outward condition of everything and say that this is what there is.  But Jesus sees the motives and intentions behind those acts. He also sees all that is hidden from human awareness and knowledge. His eyes gaze on the workings of the Spirit and the Eternal.  We see a man having a glass of wine or making a great living in a less-than-honest line of work and then judge him. Personal experience and fallen human reason always taint our interpretations.

God looks upon creation with His eternal objectives in mind. In infinite grace and mercy, He has chosen to share His presence with worthy souls.  We imagine that the people acting or believing best will have the Divine notice them. Most often, we think of those in our church.  They are the ones who follow to the letter the accepted doctrines and rituals.  But God sees what we do not.  He looks into the hearts and souls of real people, not appearances.

So, it was easy to mistake Jesus for a person of questionable character. He hung out with tax collectors and partygoers.  We should know He knows what He is doing. Rather than sit back in judgment or step out trusting in ourselves, we could look to Him.  He can give us a guide to help us find Him.  Only the Savior can open our eyes and show us the true value of people and things.  Let us set aside our tendencies to look with earthly eyes. Why not trust Him to lead us past our worldly conceptions and right unto the Father today?

Dear Lord, Help us past our tendencies and to step forward in faith. Remind us often that we cannot see all that You are working on. Let that thought throw us on You and make us need You with us for everything. Save us from our ways and teach us to be with You and expect to find You with us in all things. Amen

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Romans 12:2 ESV / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Luke 16:15 ESV / And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Matthew 23:28 ESV / So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Proverbs 16:2 ESV / All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV / For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

1 Kings 8:39 ESV / Then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),