In a hospital, a doctor is only interested in the sick, even if his relatives may look at him in scorn or wonder how he avoids catching what his patients have. Jesus was also on mission to care about, and care for, the sick – the sinners. He said that He came especially for those who know they are sinners – because their sin problem could only be cured by the Savior who died so that sinners could be set free. Perhaps in our study today we may receive clarification and/or direction on how followers of Christ might get over the stigma of hanging with those in need of the Savior we are intimately attached to!
DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-05-05
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 2:15-17
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)
BIBLE TEXT: Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
APPLICATION: Christians tend to hang out with other Christians – because we have so much in common, and we feel comfortable that no one will question us, if seen associating with folk of the same belief. Praise God, Jesus was different in this respect. He shows us that if we are to reach the unsaved, and if we are to truly show God’s love to all people, then we had better build a rapport with everyone, especially those who need Him. When we look down our noses at folk, we must remember that they have a very hard time looking up to us and accepting anything that we may have to say to them. Jesus came so that sinners might have the means for forgiveness of sin, and in recognizing their need for such forgiveness, they would accept Him as Lord and Savior. For Christians who are meditating on this devotional, let’s remember that we are to be Christ followers and therefore follow the lead that He displayed while here on this earth, for people around us need the Lord now, more than ever before. How do you feel like you are doing, my friend? Are you able to show love to the sometimes unlovable? Are you humble enough to sit and listen to the deep struggles and concerns of someone that may be deep in sin? Unless we do this, how will they know Jesus?
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus is still willing to hang with sinners to meet their needs right where they are!
PRAYER: Father, I pray that You will open my heart today and make me aware of those around me that need You as Savior. Make me very aware that although they may not look like me, or they may not follow the same guidelines of living that I follow, and they may not even attend, or perhaps never attended, church, please help me to see them as You see them. Please allow me to present myself in ways that others will see Your love, Your acceptance and Your willingness to listen to their shortcomings. Lord, please show them the way, the truth of Your Word, so that they may see Jesus, and come to know You in a very personal and intimate way. Oh that You may shine through Your children/Your representatives today! Help us to never forget that You reached far down to lift us up from our sin, and in our deepest time of need. There is none like You Heavenly Father. Please help me be obedient to Your will in doing Your work, so that others may know and believe. AMEN!