Seeing Others Through Jesus' Eyes: A Christ the King Perspective

Yesterday, we celebrated Christ the King Sunday, marking the end of our church calendar year before we begin anew with Advent. As I reflected on Jesus' kingship, I was drawn to the powerful scene of the crucifixion in Luke's gospel, where Jesus, even in his suffering, showed us what it truly means to see others through eyes of love.

What Did Jesus See From the Cross?

I wonder what Jesus saw when he looked down from the cross. Did he see the soldiers who had beaten him as enemies? Did he view the religious leaders who orchestrated his death as adversaries? Did he look at the crowd that had called for his crucifixion with contempt?

Hardly. Instead, Jesus prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

From the cross, Jesus didn't see enemies – he saw beloved children of God who were lost and confused. He saw people in need of forgiveness and grace. He saw them through eyes of love.

Learning to See Through Jesus' Eyes

Years ago, I experienced a profound lesson in seeing others through Jesus' eyes. During my final year at seminary, I faced rejection when my views on the creation stories in Genesis didn't align with my professors' literal interpretation. After a difficult interview process, I was denied approval for ordination.

I was devastated. I sat under an oak tree and wept like I hadn't since childhood. I felt hurt, wronged, and rejected.

A few days later, while working the early morning shift at the seminary switchboard, Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount came to me: "Pray for those who persecute you." I knew Jesus didn't mean I should pray for lightning bolts to strike them. He wanted me to pray for their blessing.

There was nothing in me that wanted to pray for these professors. But finally, I whispered two simple words: "Bless them."

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)

The Transformation of Seeing Others Through Love

Each morning at that switchboard, I continued to pray for those professors. Over weeks and months, something remarkable happened. First, the anger and bitterness inside me slowly melted away – not all at once, but gradually, like snow in springtime.

Second, I began to see these professors differently. Initially, I viewed them as adversaries. But as I prayed, I gained a new perspective: Jesus loved them as much as he loved me. He died for them as much as for me. He wanted to bless them as much as he wanted to bless me.

I began to see them through Jesus' eyes – through the eyes of love. And when I did, I recognized them as beloved children of God, just like me.

What Seeing Through Jesus' Eyes Does (and Doesn't) Mean

Seeing others through Jesus' eyes doesn't mean everything magically becomes wonderful. Those professors didn't change their minds. Our uncertain future didn't suddenly become clear. The next 18 months remained some of the most difficult in our marriage.

Seeing others through Jesus' eyes doesn't mean abandoning our convictions. I still believe science and scripture are complementary, not contradictory.

It doesn't mean pretending we weren't wounded or excusing harmful behavior. We still need accountability, because some things are truly right and some things are truly wrong.

What it does mean is refusing to dehumanize others, regardless of what they've done. It means resisting the temptation for retaliation and revenge. As Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

The Healing Power of Christ-Like Vision

When we see others through Jesus' eyes, we begin our own healing journey. We contribute to healing our families, communities, and the divisions in our world.

In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther beautifully described what Jesus did for us:

"He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, from the power of the devil, not with silver or gold, but with his holy, precious blood and his innocent suffering and death, that I may be his own and live under him in his kingdom and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness."

When we see each other through Jesus' eyes, we see each other most clearly. We recognize that all of us – without exception, no matter how wounded, broken, or flawed – are beloved children of God.

As we enter the Advent season, may we practice seeing others as Jesus sees them – with eyes of love, compassion, and grace.

How will you practice seeing others through Jesus' eyes this week? Perhaps start with a simple prayer for someone difficult in your life. Remember, sometimes it begins with just two words: "Bless them."

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