Lent 3. Jesus: Aware

This year's Lenten theme explores the qualities of Jesus that make him our model as well as our Savior and Redeemer.

---JESUS WAS AWARE---

The first 4 books in the New Testament record the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. At least 34 times, we're told that Jesus saw someone or something. He was aware of people and their needs - and also aware of what God wanted to do for those people.

He is still looking at you and me - and he knows our needs, whose crowd we're in, how we spend (and give) our money, and what we're waiting for.

Notice what caught the eye of Jesus (here are a few examples):
  • Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  Matthew 5:1
  • Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:2
  • When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34
  • When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20
  • As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. Luke 21:1
  • Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” John 1:38
  • “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48
  • As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. John 9:1
*Self-Assessment: What catches my eye? How - and when - do I become aware that God is at work and wants to use me as his hands, feet, and voice?

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