Thursday, February 9, 2012

What? Getting to Know Sinners


Mat 9:10-13 NASB

(10)  Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house,  behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.
(11)  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?"
(12)  But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
(13)  "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

I do not think it was a coincidence that Jesus was at Matthew’s house.  Jesus is all about going to where people live.  This notion is still what Jesus expects from those who follow Him.  We must go where people live.  How else will they know we are interested in them?  Remember, when Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him he was actually saying, “I want to get to know you” what better way to get to know someone than to spend time where they live.

What type of people where gathered at Matthew’s house; Other tax collectors, sinners, and Pharisees.  The Pharisees criticized Jesus for meeting with these people.  It is still the same way today.  Many times people criticize Christians when they make an effort to go into places or hang out with others who do not fit into the mold that has been the tradition.  We cannot let the criticism of others hinder our charge given to us by Jesus Christ.  That charge is to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And TELL.

We must always weigh the objective of our ministry.  The Pharisees were self-sufficient they did not need a savior.  They were all about dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.  The publicans and sinners knew they needed a savior.  Who else would Jesus be talking to, those who needed Him or those who did not want Him at all.  The objective of our ministry should always be about getting to know people so we can tell them about Jesus Christ.

Get to know someone this week so you can tell them about Jesus.    

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