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.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

No One Is Ever Good Enough

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

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” -- Hosea 6:6

A woman I’ve known for more than 30 years grew up attending a neighborhood church. She has all the answers. Just ask her. She doesn’t need to talk about the Bible or religion of faith. And she doesn’t. Why waste time on what she already knows when she could be gathering gossip on something she doesn’t know?

Yeah. That’s right. She’s also the neighborhood gossip. And judge.

It’s not that she’s a bad person. She isn’t. She’s done many wonderful things for others over the years. She also did an admirable job of caring for her husband as he lay dying. She’s in church most Sundays and even on Wednesday nights as well. She does everything right on the outside. But what about the inside?

I always wonder when folks know too much to keep learning about Jesus. I realize that group Bible study isn’t for everyone but I can’t imagine not wanting to read and study the Bible for as long as I can. I want to grow closer to God, not assume I’m close enough already.

It always comes back to relationship. I want to have a relationship with God. I am His child and I want to know Him in all things. I can’t understand why anyone would want to keep Him at a distance. In His place, so to speak. Because His place is everywhere in my life.

She knows all the right answers. She grew up memorizing the little songs and books of the Bible. But sometimes I wonder about her heart. Because faith is a heart thing or it isn’t faith at all.

She’s so quick to look down at others who don’t have all the answers. She doesn’t bother looking in the mirror because she assumes she’s already good enough. I don’t want to ever be like that. I don’t want to ever think I’m better than others and I don’t want to ever assume I’m good enough.

I want to always remember what Jesus did for me. I want to forever understand God’s mercy and kindness that I could never deserve. But He loves me anyway. He loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. My God. My Father. My Creator.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Harvest Is Great

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” -- Matthew 9:37-38

A man admits his frustration. He pastors a small, rural church and has for several years. While the attendance has grown, the congregation can still only afford a part-time pastor. So this preacher must work a regular job in addition to his pastoral duties.

He longs for the day when he can minister to his flock and others fulltime. He doesn’t understand why God won’t provide a way. He’s tried leaving before and making do with part-time jobs. The financial stress was just too great. The only way to help his three children get through high school and college was a regular job with a regular paycheck. So back he went.

He doesn’t see the harvest right before him. Or, maybe he does but wants something different. Something that looks better. Someone who is actively seeking rather than a bunch of broken people who desperately need a Savior they don’t know.

I see it so clearly. I suppose it’s easy to see what someone else is missing even while you blindly overlook what you are missing in your own life. I wonder if he is so busy just surviving that he no longer makes time to hear what God has to say? I’ve done that at times.

I look around and see a woman in an abusive marriage. There’s a young mother, pregnant with her second child, and still unmarried. Her mother is sick. Her mother’s boyfriend was just arrested for driving drunk and killing his own brother. Then there’s the worker who went to lunch one day and died in an accident. His grief-stricken co-workers are still struggling to make sense of something that no one can understand. And that’s just the surface things.

Why is this pastor still where he doesn’t want to be? Because this place he’d rather not be desperately needs Jesus. The workers need His hope and His love, His comfort and His strength. They are hurting and crying out for help.

And, yes, for those who are wondering what I’m doing, I do talk with them when I can. I don’t see them often but I reach out. Anyone would. Smiles and laughter can only cover so much pain before it spills out infecting everyone with anger and bitterness.

Jesus told us the harvest is great. Look around. It’s everywhere. Pray for more workers to tend the souls of those who are lost. Pray for strength and wisdom to work the harvest that grows right where you are.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Faith Brings Miracles

"When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

"Yes, Lord," they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. -- Matthew 9:28-30a

I believe in miracles. I believe God can heal anything and anyone. I believe God loves animals just as He loves people. And I believe in the power of prayer.

Today we brought our little dog home from the hospital. He is a member of our family just as surely as any human relative. I know some think we're crazy. How can we care for a paraplegic dog? How does anyone care for a paraplegic? With love and caring and a great deal of prayer.

I know God blessed us with our vets. They are wonderful. Christians. The sight of that cross never fails to give me hope. Before we left today, I asked one of the doctors to pray over our little guy. And he did. I felt the strength of that.

I don't know what God's answer will be. I realize that sometimes He says no. I also believe He hears the pleas of His children. That He sees our tears and knows our pain. I never forget that the shortest verse in the Bible is simply, "Jesus wept."

I also know that God will give us strength to face the hours and days ahead. He will give us the wisdom we need. He will lead us to make the best decisions. And He will heal this little fellow who still has so much spark. God is the creator of all miracles. I fully expect to see one emerge from this tragedy.