July 22, 2018

Are You Better Than Others?

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 9:10-13

Who do you look down on? Oh, come on! Admit it. Who do you consider to be less than you? And, on the flip side, who do you consider to be better than you are?

Our pastor said today that we all want to associate with people whose sins are like ours. Why? Because it makes us more comfortable.

Of course, the Pharisees thought they were better than anyone else. They had all these rules and regulations to follow, far more than God had ever commanded. It made them feel good. It made them feel superior. It made them, well, much like us.

We don’t want to sit beside or socialize with the confessed adulterer. We don’t really care that she repented and changed her life. We prefer to paint her tainted and unworthy. We do it every time we walk away, every time we gossip about her past, every time we refuse to associate with a sinner such as she.

We would rather cast her aside with the convicted drug user. You know the one. He went to prison for his addiction. Some say he found Jesus and is leading a changed life. We’re not sure anyone can change that much. We don’t plan to find out. We’re keeping our distance. He can go to some other church, sing in some other choir, volunteer with some other group. We don’t need his kind in our congregation.

Have you felt a twinge of guilt yet? You should. Jesus associated with the worst of sinners. He even called them to His side, to be His disciples, to lead His people after He was gone.

Take Matthew for an example. Tax collectors were despised. They collected oppressive taxes. And, to make it worse, they could add extra to those taxes and keep that money for themselves. Why would Jesus call such a man to His side? Why would Jesus beckon someone like that to be a leader in the early church?

Jesus gives us the answer Himself. He came to save sinners, not those who consider themselves righteous. Jesus came to save those of us who know we need a Savior.

In turn, Jesus expects us to show grace and mercy to others who also need a Savior. Because we’re all the same. We’re all guilty. We’re all unworthy. And we can all find redemption at the foot of the cross.

Those who are most gracious, most kind, most giving, are those who truly understand the gift of salvation. They understand the depth of their sins and show their gratitude by welcoming all into their midst.

What about you? Are you still so impressed with your own righteousness that you see no need to associate with those who are lesser? Or are you still so ashamed of past mistakes that you hang back from fully participating in God’s amazing plan for your life?

No matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, who you think you are, join hands with others and kneel at the cross. Jesus welcomes everyone. So should we.