THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:13-17
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
Tax collectors were one of the kinds of people that the religious people avoided.
Also prostitutes, lepers, zealots, Samaritans, Roman soldiers, non-practicing Jews.
Who are the kinds of people that Christians avoid today?
Muslims, LGBQT, Immigrants, Homeless, Prostitutes, non-church-goers?
Jesus not only socializes with them, and their friends, He calls them to join Him.
He seems to be quite open to letting people join Him — everyone was welcome.
It was only after time with Jesus that some stopped following (John 6:66).
Notice how the church reverses this: we make it hard to join, but once in always in.
We first demand that people change, that they get their lives in order, then join.
But how can they change unless they spend time with Jesus.
Sinners were drawn to Jesus, and learned with Him what it meant to follow.
Sinners are often repulsed by Christians, and won’t spend time with Jesus with them.
Jesus is sending us as His followers to continue loving like He did!
Are we really following Him, if we do not go where He goes, and do what He does?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, instead of hiding in our bubbles waiting for people to come to us, motivate us to go where You are, where the people are that You came for, sinners like me.
Who needed Jesus?
The teachers of the law – the Pharisees – saw themselves above that need. They were not like the tax collectors and sinners.
They thought that they were right with God.
Self righteous.
They too, like the sinners, needed Jesus.
Jesus associated with those in need but there were many who looked down on this association.
And I, His follower, whom do I associate with? Am I caught up in my way or His Way?
My practices or His?
I must live my life as Christ lived His because I too need His saving grace. I too am one of those sinners who need His saving power – healing power.
Lord, help me also to be like Christ unto my neighbours in all I do and say.
1
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.