Caricature or created in God's image?

How do we see others?  We rarely see them for who they really are.  Are we even capable of this?

It depends.  Do we want to see others as they really are?  Or do their flaws and faults only serve to remind us of our own, so we'd rather not see them, thank you very much?

You may have heard that 80% of what we see in others is true of ourselves.  Ouch.  So depending on how you see someone directly correlates to something in you.

It is much easier to make someone into a caricature than acknowledge all of their qualities.

A caricature distorts.  It usually highlights whatever feature stands out in the person, usually bad and usually obvious.

Why is it important that we try to see the whole person and not just their caricature?

Short answer: because that is how we would like to be seen by others.

There are those "standout" qualities in each of us, whether good or bad; but that is not the whole story.  Ever.

Lucille Ball comes to mind.  If I mention her name, you most likely think of one word: funny.  And that she was!

But, like all of us, Lucy also had many other qualities about her that reached far beyond funny.  None of us are one-dimensional beings.

Why am I belaboring this?  Because our society has become so quick to judge and chastise.  We have become so touchy and eaily offended that it can throw us off kilter if we let it.

We do not have to let someone's obvious character trait ruin the entire person.  "Oh, well she's just _______."  Or "He is so _________."  That is what making a caricature of someone is - focusing on their one "bad" trait and letting that define him or her.

If you truly want to see anyone as they are, as a whole person, then you will need to give up your "right" to judge them. You may need to look a little deeper and realize that perhaps their strangeness is caused by unhealed areas in their souls.  I know...this goes deeper than most are willing to go.  

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned." Luke 6:37

Seeing beyond the surface is what I'm talking about, I guess.

Jesus sees us as we are.  And - here's the kicker - He loves us just as we are!

Does that mean He doesn't care about your sin?  Oh, He cares. Lookie here:

Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer."  John 8:10-11

So Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in adultery.  But!  He also told her to stop it!  

We can't get away with anything with Jesus.  Trust me, this is a good thing.  He's in our business.  He sees all of the reasons why we sin, but that doesn't excuse us!  

The woman in this Scripture passage, who was caught in the act of adultery, was most likely trying to get her emotional and love needs met, but in a very wrong way.  Or maybe she was desperate financially.  Who knows what her reason was?  But Jesus knew.  And He did not condemn her.  But neither was He condoning her sin in this.  Sin no more!  That's what Jesus told her.

Jesus didn't see this woman as a caricature.  He did not see only her sin, He looked deeper.  He understood her and most likely had a very deep compassion for her.  Do we treat others the same?

Like the Pharisees in this story, we love picking up our stones and hurling them at those we deem guilty, don't we?  

But Jesus drew the line.  Instead of agreeing with the Pharisees, He told them, in a sense, "Go ahead!  If you yourselves are without sin, then cast your stones at her!"  "Uh, but, hmmm - certainly we're not in the same category as this woman!" they must have thought.

Really?  Then go on with your bad selves and throw your stones!

But they didn't.  They couldn't. At least they get credit for that!  They realized and owned up to the fact that they, too, were every bit the sinner that this woman was.  Right then, the caricature of the Pharisee was softened, too.

Jesus heals all of the "caricature" in us.  Jesus is real and honest.  Jesus sees us fully and, though He is the only one with the right to judge us, He does not condemn us.  

Caveat:  one day, Jesus will be the last and final Judge.  The age of grace ends, kiddos.  So while Jesus offers grace upon grace to us, we must admit our fault, our sin to Him and accept His forgiveness and salvation here and now.  That is how we avoid condemnation from Christ both now and later.

That is why we Christians are so joyful in Christ!  We are forgiven!  We have admitted our need for a Savior, received Him into our hearts, and know that we stand justified before Almighty God forever!  Wow and a million times wow!  We all know who got the better end of that deal!

Try it.  Next time you see someone you normally marginalize or condemn or caricaturize, think about how Jesus sees you.  Throw down your stone.  And sin no more!

Lord Jesus, You tell us over and over in Scripture to not judge or we will be judged.  Help us see others as You see them, Lord.  Fill our hearts with Your compassion, for we have no room to judge.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for offering us Your amazing forgiveness, mercy, love, grace, and compassion when we sin.  Let us never take this for granted!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.