Jesus came to save sinners, not to reassure the righteous.
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Scripture
Matthew 9:10-13
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Observation
Jesus didn’t target those who were positioned to give him a strategic advantage in society. He didn’t aim his outreach at those who were popular, well-connected, or self-managed. He invested his time and energy in those who were messed up and knew it. He targeted those who new they needed a savior, those who knew their own righteousness was inadequate.
Application
I read the other day about a medical clinic that has made some questionable decisions in order to protect their ‘success rate’ in dealing with certain types of disease. In order to protect their reputation, they’ve been turning away medical cases that are ‘too far gone’ for them to help. In essence, they’ve been catering to people who are mostly healthy, instead of those who are urgently ill.
This isn’t how Jesus works. He didn’t come for those who have it all together, but rather for those who are unable to fix their own problem. He came to save sinners, not to reassure the righteous.
This is how he wants me to live–with an intentional focus to show His love to those who are messed up, hurting, and wounded. This week, I need to look for opportunities to share His love with those who need it…not merely those who think they deserve it.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love! Thank you for your mercy, which reaches into the middle of my worst decisions and greatest pain. Help me to show that kind of love to others–to help those who cannot help themselves, so that you would receive the glory as your transformation is accomplished in their hearts.
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