Eye Give and Take

Jesus, looking at him, loved him. Mark 10:9

When Jesus was loving him with his eyes, he was giving this man his full attention.

We can give with our eyes, or we can take with our eyes. Coveting and lust are forms of using our eyes for the wrong purposes, to take what is not ours to take. When we give or pay attention, we are connecting in a genuine way, demonstrating God's compassion. If we are indifferent or distracted, we are merely pretending to listen.

Our eyes can see into the soul of another through the eye-gate, if we are willing to focus our time and energy.  It is more than a quick glance of recognition. It is dialing down, sieving out every distraction, because that person, at that moment, is worthy of devotion of a portion of our day.

The more we practice, the better we can become at connecting with people in this way. The context of the verse above was a seemingly well-to-do young man who approached the Master, questioning. He outwardly had it all together, but Jesus looked into his soul and discerned a specific need, which He spoke to. A brief, yet deep encounter, because of the Lord's compassion for others.

Jesus is living in us, still willing to minister to others this way. We can carry Him to the need. We are His hands, His feet, His eyes.