Sermon: What Jesus Sees

Sermon Date: 3/30/2025

Bible Verses: Matthew 9

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Introduction:
One of the most remarkable things about Jesus is the way He sees people. In Matthew 9, we find seven instances where Jesus "saw" something or someone. His vision was not just physical—He saw with divine insight, compassion, and purpose. Where others saw obstacles, Jesus saw opportunities for healing, restoration, and calling.

As we walk through this chapter, let’s ask ourselves:

• What does Jesus see in us?
• How can we learn to see the world as He does?

1. Jesus Sees Faith (Matthew 9:2)

"Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’”

The first thing Jesus sees in this chapter is faith. The friends of the paralyzed man brought him to Jesus, believing that He could heal. Their faith was visible.

• Faith is not just internal—it moves us to action.
• Jesus not only healed the man physically but first forgave his sins, addressing his greatest need.
• What does Jesus see when He looks at your faith? Does your faith move you to action?

2. Jesus Sees a Sinner in Need of a Savior (Matthew 9:9)

"As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him."

To society, Matthew was a despised tax collector. To Jesus, he was a future disciple.

• Others saw a traitor; Jesus saw a disciple.
• Jesus does not see us as we are—He sees what we can become in Him.
• Are there people in your life you have written off? Jesus may see something greater in them.

3. Jesus Sees the Despised and Dines with Them (Matthew 9:10-13)

"Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’"

Jesus not only called Matthew, but He ate with sinners. He saw them not as outcasts but as people in need of grace.

• The religious leaders saw a scandal, but Jesus saw a mission field.
• He reminds them: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (v. 13).
• Are we willing to see people as Jesus sees them? Or do we judge based on appearances?

4. Jesus Sees Desperate Faith (Matthew 9:20-22)

"And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’ But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’"

This woman had been suffering for twelve years. She was considered unclean, yet she reached out in faith.

• Society ignored her, but Jesus saw her.
• He not only healed her but called her daughter—restoring her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Do we believe Jesus sees our deepest needs?

5. Jesus Sees the Grieving and Brings Hope (Matthew 9:23-26)

"When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him."

Jairus, a synagogue leader, had just lost his daughter. The people saw death and despair. Jesus saw hope.

• He told them she was "sleeping," because He saw beyond death.
• The people mocked Him, but He brought resurrection.
• What if we trusted Jesus' vision more than our circumstances?

6. Jesus Sees the Blind and Gives Sight (Matthew 9:27-31)

"And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’ ... Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened."

Jesus saw their physical and spiritual blindness. They called Him "Son of David," recognizing Him as the Messiah.

• Many had eyes but did not see who Jesus was, yet these blind men had faith.
• Jesus sees our spiritual blindness and wants to open our eyes to truth.
• Are there areas in your life where you need Jesus to give you clearer vision?

7. Jesus Sees the Lost and Feels Compassion (Matthew 9:35-38)

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."

The final thing Jesus sees is the lostness of the crowd. They were wandering without direction, without leadership, without hope.

• Jesus did not just see a crowd—He saw individuals in need of a shepherd.
• His response? "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers" (v. 38).
• Do we see people with the same compassion Jesus does?

Conclusion: Seeing Through the Eyes of Jesus

Matthew 9 reveals how Jesus sees:

1. He sees faith. Do we live out a faith that is visible?
2. He sees beyond our past. Do we believe He can transform us?
3. He sees the outcasts. Are we willing to welcome them?
4. He sees desperate hearts. Do we trust Him with our needs?
5. He sees beyond death. Do we have faith in His resurrection power?
6. He sees spiritual blindness. Are we willing to let Him open our eyes?
7. He sees the lost with compassion. Do we share His burden for the world?

Challenge:

This week, pray and ask God to help you see as Jesus sees. Look for opportunities to show faith, grace, compassion, and hope to those around you.

Because when we see through His eyes, we don’t just see problems—we see people in need of a Savior.