Even with eternity on his mind, Jesus noticed the people in his today

By Dean Collins

It happened three times in one day. The first time I didn’t think anything about it. The second time I thought I really need to get a life. The third time it was mentioned by a former student who said it in an endearing way and told me he was emulating me; he meant it as a compliment.

All three people commented that they often see me walking around talking on the phone. I do talk on the phone a lot. I don’t want to sound defensive, but such conversations are a big part of my job. And I try to do my job well. I don’t think I’ve ever been specifically told to talk on the phone, but as a leader I talk and listen to lots of people. Sometimes I’m getting advice. Sometimes I’m giving advice because someone asked me for help. Sometimes I’m raising money in order for Point University to fulfill her mission. Sometimes I’m building a new strategic partnership for our students. I am involved in dozens of conversations every week.

Cell phones set me free. It dawned on me years ago that if I have phone calls to make, it’s much better to move around and get some fresh air while I do my work. And apparently as I do that I’ve built a reputation. Honestly I don’t really want to be remembered as the guy who walks around talking on the phone, but I guess that might be better than being known as the guy who walks around talking to himself.

I don’t intend to ignore anyone, but two of the three who mentioned my phone habit said, “I see you regularly, but I don’t speak because I don’t want to interrupt you while you’re working.” I’m glad at least they assume I’m working! Most of us admire people who are focused on their mission and willing to put in their hours.

He never lost sight of the people

I’ve decided here’s yet another way I can grow to be more like Jesus. Jesus noticed the people around him. He didn’t let his mission distract him from remembering the people around him were part of that mission.

Luke told us in Luke 9 that Jesus had his face set to go to Jerusalem. He was on a critical mission of saving humanity and restoring the world. If we are following Jesus, then our mission should line up with his. Like you, I try to keep the big picture, the Kingdom of God picture, in my mind as I work. But I find that sometimes, in my determination to fulfill the mission, I obviously miss the people around me.

From Luke’s chapter 10 all the way to the last words of Jesus spoken on the cross, we see that Jesus never lost sight of the people. In Luke’s Gospel, we notice that Jesus was often focused on both sight and stature. Let me share a few of the many examples.

We know Jesus healed the blind man at the end of Luke 18. But notice how many times Luke tells us about Jesus observing and seeing the people around him. He was focused on his mission, but he remembered that the people in every hearing of his stories, whether at dinner or along the way, were his mission. Jesus didn’t take his eyes off of people.

In Luke 19 we read the familiar story of the wee little man named Zacchaeus. Luke tells us that Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus. He had good vision, but he was too short to see Jesus in the crowd unless he climbed a tree. Luke tells us the tax collector wanted more than just a glimpse of Jesus. He was curious about all he had heard. And being a Jewish man, he knew enough about the Scriptures to know some were wondering whether this Jesus was the Messiah.

But in this story we also see that Jesus noticed the man in the tree. I doubt this was the first guy who climbed a tree to catch a peek at Jesus. Jesus drew big crowds, and it wouldn’t surprise me if there were other people in trees even that day.

He never was impressed with status

When I read this story I’m reminded that Jesus often noticed and talked about stature. Not a person’s shortness or tallness, but stature in the sense of status. He was quick to point out that in the Kingdom of God we are called to act differently than the world when it comes to status. The last become first. The greatest is to be the servant. And Jesus’ most haunting words have to do with not having divided loyalties. We can’t focus on the things of this world, build bigger storehouses for our stuff, and be wrapped up in our titles while claiming to be followers of Jesus.

Maybe in this encounter Jesus made a change in Zacchaeus’ priorities. We know the tax collector immediately said he would give half of his money away. This might be an indication of true repentance. Zacchaeus may have been changed forever. But I know that emotional, even joyful encounters with Jesus can wear off if we don’t continue to focus on Jesus and his mission.

This story should be a big reminder that just doing a lot of stuff isn’t that important to Jesus. Caring for and serving the people in front of us who are sometimes up a tree or maybe so low they are hidden in a cardboard box are the acts of service that Jesus notices. These are the actions that change lives. Theirs and ours.

I’ll likely still walk around outside and talk on the phone. But I am determined not to miss the people Jesus places in front of me. I need to see them.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:51-53‬; 19:1-10 ESV

Photo courtesy of freestocks.org

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