Tunnel vision

October 30, 2007

By Greg Ebie

I admit it. I have tunnel vision. No, I don’t have trouble with my eyesight; my peripheral vision is just fine. The tunnel vision I sometimes suffer from comes from being so focused on my work I don’t see the people around me. Over the years I’ve had to make a conscious effort to slow down and not worry about the task needing done so I can take time to see what’s going on in the lives of other people.

Jesus didn’t suffer from tunnel vision. He and the disciples were leaving Jericho to go to Jerusalem. Jesus told the disciples that once in Jerusalem He would be betrayed into the hands of evil men, condemned to die on the cross, and then would rise again on the third day. If ever Jesus had the right to be focused on what He was going to do, it was then. No distractions, just keep the work to be done in front of you.

As Jesus left Jericho two blind men began to call out for help. The crowd did their best to silence them. If I were one of the disciples I probably would have told these guys Jesus had more important things on His mind and didn’t have time to bother with them. I would be tunnel vision personified.

Not Jesus, He looked beyond the important work of salvation (a work that only He could do) and saw those two men in need. Jesus called them to Him and asked what they wanted. They wanted to see.

“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:34, NIV).

Jesus told His disciples He did not come to be served but to serve others and give His life to rescue many from their sins (see verse 28). But Jesus lived it out for us all to see. He didn’t just go to Jerusalem to die on the cross so we can be forgiven, which was the supreme work before Him. Instead, Jesus took the time to notice two blind men in need.

Are you like me and sometimes miss the big picture because you are focused on what is right in front of you? Let’s learn from Jesus’ example to slow down and notice the people who surround us. With God’s help our hearts can be filled with compassion to meet their need no matter how big or small it may be. In our doing so, God will also help us get those tasks completed.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.