How did Jesus look at people? Jesus’ first reaction upon seeing someone was, “They matter.” He saw their height or weight or skin color or morals or values, but His first thought was, “You matter.”

Jesus knew that everyone matters. (And when people matter to us we are far more likely to treat them with kindness and respect.) Jesus knew that everyone has needs. (And when see the needs of people around us, we are far more likely to feel compassion for them.)

Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matt.14:14 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. Matthew 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight. Mark 8:2 Jesus said, "I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat.” Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw (the grieving mother), He felt compassion for her.

I choose for my first impression of someone to be, “You matter to God and therefore you matter to me.” I can choose to think that way. I can also try to see a person’s need. Their need may be spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, relational, or something else. But I want to feel compassion and concern for everyone I meet – because everyone matters and everyone has needs.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with 1) compassion, 2) kindness, 3) humility, 4) gentleness and 5) patience. Bear with each other and 6) forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  7) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

I choose for my first impression of someone to be, “You matter to God and therefore you matter to me.” I can choose to think that way. I can also try to see a person’s need. Their need may be spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, relational, or something else. But I want to feel compassion and concern for everyone I meet – because everyone matters and everyone has needs.

The Story of “The Good Samaritan” 30 Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 “A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity (had compassion) on him.” Luke 10:25-37 p. 339-340, The Story

34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” 36  Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37 p. 339-340, The Story

Assignment Choose one or two people that you don’t like. Decide to work really hard to start seeing them as people who matter. Put on Jesus’ clothes of compassion.

God says, “You matter.” And God knows you have needs. And because you matter, God cares about you. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Jesus, John 15:9 We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19