As I slowly pull my car to a complete stop at the red light, I see him crouched on the concrete median with a sign in hand, “Will work for Food”. My heart sinks as I try not to look at him. He is bundled up with a hoodie and toboggan, no gloves and work boots. It’s 21 degrees and although the heat in my car is working properly, the thought of being outside gives me a chill. I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead, pretending not to notice him. Slowly, I roll my car passed him just enough for him to clear my vision. This way I don’t have to look at him. Even though I can’t see him, I can’t seem to push the thought of him out of my mind.

Matthew 13:14-15 NIV reads;

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

Have I closed my eyes?

I feel as if Jesus is speaking to me and I wonder if my heart has already become calloused. Glancing at the stale red light, I can’t stop myself from reaching for my wallet. Three dollars, that’s all I have. I grab it, check my rear view mirror to see if another car is behind me and put my car in reverse. As I pull back to him, I roll my window down, reaching out to hand him the cash. He takes it graciously and looks me in the eyes. I look back at him. I see him and it hurts. I look anyway. I see that he is tired and numb. He thanks me and says, “God bless you.”

I want to cry. Right there. I want to say, “God bless me? God bless you! For having to stand out here on the side of the road begging for money.” I only manage to mutter, “You too.” My light turns green and I pull away.

Jesus goes on in Matthew 13:16 to say; “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

I wonder how blessed I could possibly be to have seen this guy standing on the side of the road. I wanted to not see him and to not feel for him. I wanted to not care. Instead, I tossed him a few bucks, as if my small contributions could help his situation. Yet, somewhere deep down inside my aching heart, I can not push aside the thought that he might be Jesus.

I think of Jesus’ words from Matthew 25.

³⁷ ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Blessed are your eyes because they see.”

If we see, then we see the brokenness of this world. If we see, then we have to do something about it. This is a strange place. Ignorance is bliss but bliss won’t get the job done. Bliss dulls the heart.

It hurts to have eyes that see. But if I don’t see, I might not see Jesus.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart courageous enough to care. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M