Perspective is so important. It’s how we see things and more importantly, how we see God, His Word and His love for us. Many things influence perspective; upbringing, attitude and education just to mention a few. Why are there four gospels in the New Testament? Perspective. Each author witnessed the same event, the life of Jesus and the cross, yet each book is written so differently. Luke, as a physician, writes from a perspective of compassion and spends much time talking about how Jesus helped women and children. Mark, writing on behalf of Simon Peter, wrote about the actions of Jesus. Matthew wrote with a love for his heritage, his perspective was all about showing that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. John’s perspective was making sure that everyone knows that Jesus is God in flesh. How we see God, His Word and how we worship is often dependent on our perspective. That’s why sometimes God has to change our view of Him and ourselves. Sometimes He has to change our perspective and let us see how great His grace and mercy is while other times He must humble us so that we see our need and dependency on Him.
Job is a perfect example of God changing a man’s perspective. Job had a perspective of himself and his relationship with God that was a little messed up. Job thought that he was blessed because of his works and righteousness. Job sacrificed daily for himself and his family. Job’s perspective was that he was saved because of his works. God, in His great love for Job, allowed a great test to come to his life and by the end of the trial Job’s perspective of himself and God had totally changed, causing Job to say, “once I have spoken and I will not answer. Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” What a change in perspective, in just a short time Job came to realize how insignificant he was and how great God was.
Nicodemus came to Jesus asking about the changes He was about to bring to the world. Talk about changing man’s perspective. Jesus basically told Nicodemus, I’m moving from one man behind a veil to all access for everyone, I’m moving from being confined to a building to filling any man who seeks after me. The great fight Jesus fought was getting religious people to change their perspective That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus, The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. It takes a man who is hungry and who is willing to allow God to change his perspective to see the great things God can do. My prayer for LC is simple, keep us hungry and help us to always allow God to change our perspective.