Those Kinds of People
Scripture: Luke 15:1-2
"Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!"
Observations:
Here in this passage the disciple Luke who documented Jesus' life and ministry takes a shot at a certain group of individuals who had basically just missed it concerning the nature of God and His love for people. He pointed out that when Jesus was teaching about God that frequently the audience was filled with what society considered to be the most sinful and corrupt people who were known for their reputation for doing things that were unquestionably against God's Word. And yet, what is absent from Luke's account is even the slightest concern from Jesus about the kinds of people His ministry was attracting. In fact, the only people who even seemed bothered by it were the religious leaders who thought somehow that "good" people didnt associate with those kinds of people. Much to their shock and dismay, Jesus not only tolerated such people but He even hung out with them- on purpose!! Jesus didn't love them from a distance either and just pray for them hoping for the best. He took it upon Himself to welcome them into relationship in spite of their sin and caring about them anyway, not just with words but with actions.
Application:
Way too often we as believers can get this idea in our heads that people who we would label as "sinners" carry some sort of disease that might infect us and so we do our best to disinfect our churches and our relationships from even the slightest possibility that we might come into contact with "those kinds of people". And while it is true that "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33), it's also true that our righteousness (rightness in God's eyes) is not contingent upon our "goodness" or our environment. Yes it's true that we have a responsiblity to "keep ourselves from being corrupted by the world" (James 1:27), however, we have an even greater responsiblity to "Go to the world and make disciples of everyone..." (Matthew 28:19). In fact, Jesus pointed out that our mission in the world is exactly the same as Jesus had, "as the Father has sent Me, so I send you." (John 20:21). That means essentially that in order for us to fulfill Christ's mission to lead the world into a right relationship with God it's going to require of us the same manner of "sinner welcoming", "courageous loving", and "self-crucifying" that enabled Jesus to reach "those kinds of people". How would you respond if "they" suddenly showed up at your worship service, bible study, church picnic, or life group? Does it make us uncomfortable to be around "sinners" or associated with them? If so, perhaps there's still room for us to become more like Jesus and actively pursue not just reluctantly tolerate the majority of the world who have yet to come to Christ. If we don't do it, who will?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for coming and giving Your life for every sinner, and especially for us! Help us to have the attitude of Jesus towards those who have not yet experienced Your grace and forgiveness. May we take an active role in demonstrating Your love for all people regardless of their sin. Make us more like Christ today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!"
Observations:
Here in this passage the disciple Luke who documented Jesus' life and ministry takes a shot at a certain group of individuals who had basically just missed it concerning the nature of God and His love for people. He pointed out that when Jesus was teaching about God that frequently the audience was filled with what society considered to be the most sinful and corrupt people who were known for their reputation for doing things that were unquestionably against God's Word. And yet, what is absent from Luke's account is even the slightest concern from Jesus about the kinds of people His ministry was attracting. In fact, the only people who even seemed bothered by it were the religious leaders who thought somehow that "good" people didnt associate with those kinds of people. Much to their shock and dismay, Jesus not only tolerated such people but He even hung out with them- on purpose!! Jesus didn't love them from a distance either and just pray for them hoping for the best. He took it upon Himself to welcome them into relationship in spite of their sin and caring about them anyway, not just with words but with actions.
Application:
Way too often we as believers can get this idea in our heads that people who we would label as "sinners" carry some sort of disease that might infect us and so we do our best to disinfect our churches and our relationships from even the slightest possibility that we might come into contact with "those kinds of people". And while it is true that "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33), it's also true that our righteousness (rightness in God's eyes) is not contingent upon our "goodness" or our environment. Yes it's true that we have a responsiblity to "keep ourselves from being corrupted by the world" (James 1:27), however, we have an even greater responsiblity to "Go to the world and make disciples of everyone..." (Matthew 28:19). In fact, Jesus pointed out that our mission in the world is exactly the same as Jesus had, "as the Father has sent Me, so I send you." (John 20:21). That means essentially that in order for us to fulfill Christ's mission to lead the world into a right relationship with God it's going to require of us the same manner of "sinner welcoming", "courageous loving", and "self-crucifying" that enabled Jesus to reach "those kinds of people". How would you respond if "they" suddenly showed up at your worship service, bible study, church picnic, or life group? Does it make us uncomfortable to be around "sinners" or associated with them? If so, perhaps there's still room for us to become more like Jesus and actively pursue not just reluctantly tolerate the majority of the world who have yet to come to Christ. If we don't do it, who will?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for coming and giving Your life for every sinner, and especially for us! Help us to have the attitude of Jesus towards those who have not yet experienced Your grace and forgiveness. May we take an active role in demonstrating Your love for all people regardless of their sin. Make us more like Christ today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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