But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
The Heart of the Matter
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” How many times have we heard that statement? Yet we still seem to do it time and time again.
As I was reading Mark 2, it struck me that Jesus didn’t have to go by the ‘cover’ of the person, He could read the contents of their inner book. He didn’t waste time wading through the outer trappings either – He went straight to the heart of the matter, to the heart of the person.
Mark 2 starts with a story:
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5 (ESV)
Your sins are forgiven? This guy can’t walk! His friends did not heft him across town, carry him up to the roof, and lower him down through an opening for him to have his sins forgiven! He needs to be able to walk. He needs to have the ability to work and earn an income and be a part of society again.
But Jesus sees to the heart of the matter.
Jesus sees that even if the man could walk, the weight of his sins will still weigh him down and keep him trapped and enslaved.
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?” Mark 2:6-8 (ESV)
These are the respectable people. The scribes are those entrusted with copying down God’s most holy Word. They know the Torah (Old Testament) inside and out. They look at this carpenter, this son of Joseph and Mary, and think, “Who does he think he is?” They look down their noses even though they keep their mouths shut.
But Jesus sees to the heart of the matter.
He knows they are judging Him. He knows they don’t understand. He knows they came to the house to hear Him teach because they want to believe. They want to hear something they’ve never heard before, but when they hear it, they toss it aside. He can see the turmoil happening inside of them.
“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:9-12 (ESV)
All of the people packed into the house like sardines in a can were skeptical. They were drawn to Jesus, to His unusual teachings and the stories of His power. But they weren’t sure about His authority.
But Jesus sees to the heart of the matter.
He demonstrates His authority over sins, over disease, over bondage.
Then, immediately after this, He even proves you don’t have to be respectable to gain His attention.
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Mark 2:13-14 (ESV)
A tax collector. No one likes a tax collector! They take hard-earned money. They are crooks, slipping a portion of the tax into their own pockets and living like kings while honest people work like dogs.
But Jesus sees to the heart of the matter.
He sees Levi. The inner person who is ready to follow the Master. And He calls this disresputable, money-grubbing tax collector to follow Him, to be a part of His inner circle.
You may think you are unworthy today. Unloved. Devalued. Disreputable. Too far gone.
But Jesus sees to the heart of the matter.
He sees you.
And He still loves you.
Action Step: Take a moment and think about how you think about yourself. If your only criteria was a real assessment of your heart, how would you think about yourself? Jesus sees right to the heart of the matter. What changes do you need to make today in your thinking?
God, we thank you that you see to the heart of the matter. Help us to feel Your unconditional love and know that you see right into our hearts. Give us the courage to live a life where the cover of the book matches what is inside it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you have never acknowledged that you do wrong things and need a savior, it is the most freeing thing you could ever do.
Here’s how:
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to pay the price for your sins, all you have to do is accept that amazing gift. Tell God you believe and ask Him to forgive all the wrong things you have done.
He hears you and sees right to the heart of the matter.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
If you have done that, you are made a part of God’s family. There is a place for you in heaven and the angels are having a party, celebrating you! We want to celebrate too! Comment below or message me if you decided to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord today.