JUST  COME!

Aren’t you glad that Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, has no favourites: that He’s not biased in any way.  He treats us all with the same respect.  Jesus spoke some very profound words in the text from Matthew 9:10-13 that should impact every one of us.

“Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with His close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them.  When the Pharisees saw Him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into (verbally abused) Jesus' followers. ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cosy with crooks and riff-raff?’  Jesus, overhearing, shot back, ‘Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?  Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.'  I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders’”  (The Message).

Yes, the Pharisees were shocked with the company that Jesus mixed with because it didn’t fit into their mould of thinking.  It didn’t look right!  It didn’t give a good impression!  It didn’t look ‘religious’!

But, as Christians, we’re so thankful that Jesus calls “the whosoever wills” to come unto Him; He’s not looking for perfection – He’s looking for dedication.  He doesn’t notice if our clothes are torn or our hair is pink!  He doesn’t re-act if we address Him in simple, everyday language. Why?  Because He’s a friend of sinners.  He makes Himself available to anyone who will seek after Him. 

And, what’s His promise to all those who will seek after Him?

“Seek Me and live” (Amos 5:4).

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (the necessities of life) will be added unto (provided for) you” (Matthew 6:33).

“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For each one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). 

If Jesus wasn’t ashamed to be seen in “mixed” company, then neither should we be.  He wasn’t imitating their behaviour or trying to be like them.  He was giving them the Gospel.  We, too, can be the “doctor” who brings spiritual healing to “the sick”: to those who don’t know our wonderful Lord.  We may be the only the “physician”, the only “bridge” they ever come into contact with who will tell them the wonderful story of the Cross and so cause them to repent and live. 

What a challenge to know we carry a message - the only message - that can lead to eternal life with an Eternal God. "Salvation is to be found through Him alone (Jesus Christ); in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us" (Acts 4:12, GNB).

Do we delight in sharing His Word?  Or are we somewhat biased toward those who come from different backgrounds and mindsets to that which we hold?  There’s never been a more timely season than now to tell the world about Jesus.

~ Joan Emery