Privileged View

“Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see.”    

—Luke 10:23

Alex Haley, the author of Roots, has a picture in his office showing a turtle sitting on top of a fence post. The picture reminds him of a very important lesson: “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.” Haley felt indebted to the great leaders who had gone before him paving the way for his success. Sir Isaac Newton reflects this same sentiment in a letter to his rival Robert Hooke, in 1676, “If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants."

This past week, I was privileged to attend a men’s gathering near Pittsburgh. The United Methodist Men partnered with Christian Sports International to put on an event with former Steeler greats Jon Kolb, Jeff Hartings, and Robin Cole. After being introduced by the MC, Tom McGough, Robin Cole stood and looked over the less than 100 men gathered and remarked, “You guys are spoiled. You don’t realize what a privilege it is to have this lineup of speakers. This place should be packed.” The event had it all: great planning, a great lineup, and a powerful Christian message, but few took advantage of the opportunity.

Jesus appointed seventy others to go out in pairs to minister in every city He Himself planned to go (Luke 10:1). After commissioning the seventy, Jesus declared judgment upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because of their unbelief. The woes Jesus pronounced were not merely for lack of faith but for unbelief in face of the privileged position of seeing many miracles preformed in their midst. With blessing comes responsibility and accountability.

When the seventy returned from their ministry tour, they joyfully related to Jesus how even the demons were subject to them in His name. Jesus celebrated with them rejoicing in the Holy Spirit that God had revealed these things to them.  Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice so much in ministry successes as in their relationship with God. “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (10:20).

From a relationship with God the Father through Jesus, we and the disciples, have the awesome privilege of seeing and understanding things of the Kingdom that Old Testament prophets and kings longed to see and hear. Jesus’ comments pertained to the seventy but also to us today, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see” (Luke 10:23). If we have experienced the forgiveness that Jesus offers, if we have a family, a church family, a home, and food, we are tremendously blessed above most people of the world and all of history. What a privilege.

Jesus told the disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12). With a privileged view, standing on the shoulders of giants, comes great responsibility and opportunity. Many of us have become near-sighted in our view of the world and the Kingdom of God. God wants to show us many more great and miraculous things. We need our eyes opened to see where God is working and plans to work in the world. Seeing from a privileged view calls us to follow. What have you done with God’s blessings? What will you do? Open our eyes, Lord, and let us see from Your shoulders.