June 2
Mark 2:13-17
Have you ever had to hang out with someone you really didn’t want to hang out with? When I was in the youth group we went on a mission trip to Miami, Florida. One night our activity was to be the official popcorn servers at homeless movie night. That’s right. We handed out bags of buttery goodness to homeless men and women while they enjoyed a video on the big screen. Did I want to do this? Um, no. My point in telling you this story is not to show you what a great person I am, because if I had been given a choice I really don’t think I would have done it. My point is that God’s love is for everyone; sinners, tax collectors, and even homeless people. It is our job to share Jesus with everyone, no matter their social status. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.” (Romans 12:16 NIV) Back in Jesus’ time tax collectors would actually pay the authorities for the privilege to collect taxes. Then they would overcharge people, and keep the extra. Needless to say, they were despised. Does that mean they weren’t worthy to hang out with Jesus? Well, yeah! None of us are! But, God wants us, warts and all. We need to be willing to share God’s amazing love with everyone. And by that, I mean EVERYONE!
Principle: Being Jesus’ disciple involves following Him and going to anyone who needs Him.
Application:
1. Have I responded to Jesus’ call to follow Him?
2. What old habits and security am I willing to leave to follow Jesus?
3. Will I commit myself this week to share Christ with someone no matter what others may say about me?
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I love how Jesus uses analogies to help people understand His message. At the end of this passage He says: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
ReplyDeleteThat is such a simple statement, yet it really shows the error of the Pharisees thoughts by comparing the different types of “sick” people.
A word of advice taken from Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:33: "Bad company corrupts good character." I have certainly seen this true in my own life. Jesus spent his time around sinners and tax collectors, but He spent his time influencing, not being influenced by them. From my experience, it is far easier to be influenced.
Romans 12:2a "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
The words "[a]s He passed by" in verse fourteen stand out to me. Jesus was talking to the crowds, but he wasn't too busy or overwhelmed to notice a single individual as he walked.
ReplyDeleteI didn't choose Jesus because He chose the world. I chose Jesus because He chose me. I matter to Him. I hope that I will learn to see others the way He sees me. I need to notice the needs of others in my daily life and take the time to respond to those needs.
I am thankful that Mark was there during that time and that he was inspired to write down what he saw so that we can read about it today. How cool it must have been to hear Jesus teaching the crowd, to witness the discourse between Jesus and the Pharisees, to see miracles performed, to experience the supernatural magnetism that would cause fishermen and tax collectors to just drop what they were doing to follow him.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has a neighbor that he invited to church. The neighbor is an ex-con and has tattoos on his arms like sleeves. Friend said,"I wonder what the people who sit around us at church will think about Brian?" This verse was the first thing that came to my mind. "It's not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick..." I'm proud of my friend for not being prejudiced by the looks and the past of the neighbor and for inviting him to learn how he can have a changed life.
ReplyDeleteAs I was driving to work this morning and reflecting on my day, verse 17 came to mind. I am more comfortable sharing Jesus with those who don't need it, I need to learn to take the chance and share with those who don't know Him, be willing to talk to the neighbor or parent that has tattoos all over them. They are people that need God too.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in "the Christian bubble" for too long. Jesus loved being with sinners and they loved being with Him. "God make me more like Jesus."
ReplyDelete