EYES OF JUDGMENT

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

The young Christian mother decided to run to the supermarket to grab some milk and eggs. She wheeled her baby carriage containing her two beautiful babies between the orderly rows of food along the supermarket aisles. She made her way toward the “9 items‑or‑less” checkout when she saw the pair of eyes staring at her and her precious little ones. She had seen the eyes before, so had the Holy Spirit that dwelt within her.

 

The Holy Spirit had seen these eyes in the Pharisees as they had challenged Jesus. He had seen these judgmental eyes in the Roman Soldiers who had tortured and crucified the Son of God. He had seen these eyes through human history, leering with hatred and condemnation at innocent people who did not deserve such treatment. He knew these eyes could not see the human heart like the Heavenly Father could, like Christ could, like the Holy Spirit could.

 

The young mother was hurt beyond comprehension. How could anyone look with such judgment on her family? While her children were not of the same skin color as herself, they were still her children whom she loved and adored. Her pain began to feed anger within her. She prayed that God would give her strength to forgive and love as Jesus would. The Holy Spirit began to work. He softened her heart, gave her strength to forgive, gave her courage to pay for her groceries and return to the safety of her home.

 

This fictional account of an incident of prejudice is unfortunately lived out in real life numerous times each day. The people, places and situations are varied, but the judgmental eyes of prejudice are all the same. The eyes reflect a heart that does not comprehend the sensitive and caring love of God. The hearts of those who are prejudiced toward others is evidence of an attitude of superiority and self‑righteousness. A prejudiced heart seeks to justify itself by degrading others who are different. Jesus addressed this when he rebuked the Pharisees when he said,  “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts.” Luke 16:15

 

Jesus looked upon people’s hearts and ministered accordingly. He constantly confronted prejudice; whatever its source. Jesus perceived people with the eyes of His Heavenly Father.

 

Numerous times scripture challenges us to adopt God’s perception of people

 

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile‑the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12‑13

 

Here God tells us that He is Lord and Master of all who live under His care. He richly blesses all people who trust and rely on Him. God does not restrict His love to those of a certain skin color.

 

 

Paul shares in Galatians that, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28‑29

 

This statement comes from Paul, a man who was saved from a deep‑seated prejudice against Christians. God saved Paul and used him not only to preach the gospel but also to convict people of the shortsightedness and selfishness of prejudice.

 

Jesus gives us an excellent example of God’s priorities in the Book of John. In chapter four we are presented with a situation that could have been full of justified prejudice according to Jewish standards of that time period. This is the account of the woman at the well. This woman was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew. To the Jews, Samaritans were despised. They were of mixed blood decent, part Jew and part Assyrian. Samaritans also had a history of blending Jewish worship with false religions. Needless to say, Jews did not look kindly upon Samaritans.

 

Here at the well, Jesus shows no concern for this woman’s nationality. He is more concerned about spiritual matters. Jesus also ignores the fact that she is a woman. Women at this time were degraded and abused. They were often considered by Jews to be property, to be owned and subordinate to men. Jesus’ action of striking up a conversation with a Samaritan, who also happens to be a woman, is significant. Here, Jesus not only demonstrates God’s love for people, he also strips away any rationalizations we might have for prejudice.

 

There is no way we can justify or rationalize prejudice against others. If we believe the scriptures and are committed to loving God in spirit and in truth we must decide to love as He loves us. Galatians 5:14 places a challenge before us as God’s children; “The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”