Tuesday Thought -- March 20, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.  ‘Follow me,’  he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.  While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?’  On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means:  “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Matthew 9:9-13)

Tax collectors weren’t very highly thought of in Israel in Jesus’ day.  They were considered traitors to their own people.  They were servants of Rome, participating in the unreasonable taxation of Israel, sending the money back to the Roman Empire.  The Jews hated that.  They wanted no part of Rome.  They longed for independence but were not strong enough to secure it.  And more than just participating in Roman taxation, most of the tax collectors were lining their own pockets, too, charging more for taxes than even Rome required.  The tax collectors were hated by the Jews, considered the lowest among people and the farthest from God.

So, why would Jesus pick such a one to be among His closest followers?  Because Jesus knew Matthew’s heart and it was a heart ready to respond to Him.  And because Jesus loved, and still loves, sinners.  In fact, He loves only sinners!  His strongest condemnation was reserved for the righteous and His most gracious invitations were extended to sinners.

Of course, there really aren’t any righteous people.  “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23)  There are people, like the Pharisees, who think they are righteous, but they are deluded.  Jesus invites those who know they are sinners to follow Him.

Isn’t that great!  That means His invitation doesn’t leave you and me out!  We’re sinners.  I know I am and I hope you know you are, too.  He has invited us sinners to follow Him.  Praise God!

His, by Grace,

Steve