Article Summary
“The Eyes of Christ: How Jesus Sees People Differently” uses a powerful poem by Dr. Eric Scalise to contrast how the world judges people outwardly while Jesus sees their true condition and worth. From tax collectors and beggars to adulterers, addicts, and the overlooked, Jesus looks past behavior and brokenness to offer compassion, forgiveness, and restoration. The poem invites believers to slow down and see others with the same grace-filled vision. When we view people through the eyes of Christ, we respond with love instead of condemnation and carry one another’s burdens as He commands.
This poem is written by Dr. Eric Scalise, lead course developer of our Foundations of Care training program. It’s included in the Caregiver Training Manual as part of the video course on biblical caregiving.
We hope this poem reminds you of how deeply God cares for each of us – and how He invites us to see others not with judgment, but with the eyes of Christ.
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
The Eyes of Christ
by Dr. Eric Scalise
The world saw only that Jesus was eating with tax gatherers and sinners … but Jesus saw people in need of the great physician.
The world saw only a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, shouting above the crowd and disturbing those around Him …
but Jesus saw a man reaching out in faith and in need of mercy.
The world saw only a group of children, annoying the Master …
but Jesus saw their innocent trust and a kingdom that belonged to such as these.
The world saw only a crooked tax gatherer named Zacchaeus, becoming rich through the suffering of others …
but Jesus saw a man ready to be broken with an act of repentance.
The world saw only the crowds pressing in on Him from all sides …
but Jesus sensed the touch of His garment by a trembling woman.
The world saw only five loaves and two fish to feed so many …
but Jesus saw a great multitude hungry and in need of compassion.
The world saw only the woman caught in the very act of adultery and deserving condemnation …
but Jesus saw a daughter in need of forgiveness.
The world saw only a robber crucified as a common thief …
but Jesus saw a lost soul worth dying for.
The world sees only a man dying with AIDS and whispers that he probably deserves it …
but Jesus sees someone who’s alone and afraid of dying.
The world sees only the alcoholic, lost and groping in the darkness …
but Jesus sees someone whose life can be restored.
The world sees only the Christian leader who has stumbled badly and fallen before the eyes of so many …
but Jesus sees someone who is worthy of His grace and help in time of need.
The world sees only the prostitute standing on the corner …
but Jesus sees a little girl who was sexually abused and desperate for a father’s love.
The world sees only the rebellious teenager wanting to end his life …
but Jesus sees someone who has never been accepted and starving for approval.
The world sees only the color of someone’s skin …
but Jesus sees a vessel fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of Almighty God.
The world sees only the woman who is always anxious and depressed …
but Jesus sees the single mom struggling to survive and needing the support and understanding of others.
The world sees only the throwaways in prison, the crippled, the poor and the homeless …
but Jesus sees precious souls that have yet to be invited to the banqueting table.
How We Can Learn to See Like Jesus
This poem invites every believer to slow down, look deeper, and see people the way Jesus does. When we view others through the eyes of Christ, we respond with grace, not judgment … with compassion, not condemnation.
If you long to love others better and care more like Christ, our Foundations of Care video course can help.
It’s a 10-session biblical caregiving training designed for individuals, churches, and ministry leaders. Whether you’re looking for a personal study or a group study option, these tools will help you meet the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around you.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Learn More and Start Today:
You never know whose life might change, just because you chose to see them through the eyes of Christ.
