Mark – The Facts.
Why is it that we look upon some people and instantly think, they would never come to Jesus, so there is no use in telling them about Him. Notice that I did not say invite them to church…as is our habit as Christians. I’m trying to change that habit because many people do not like church because of the bad press and past personal hurts by church people.
Non-church goers have many reasons they do not attend. For some people it is because church people have hurt them deeply in their past, so to avoid more hurt, they no longer attend. For others, they see church as a group of imperfect people who seem to act just like they do in their sin, so why go? For others who hate gossip, it runs rampant in God’s church today. Where is the love?, they ask. Outsiders see the insiders as a club they are “unlikely” to belong to or be accepted…unless they become exactly like the club members. Mm. Jesus talked about this. Here is one episode…
Mark 2, The Message
13-14 Then Jesus went again to walk alongside the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them. Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.
15-16 Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: “What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?”
17 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.”
Think about it…
–Who are the “unlikely” in your social world?
–Who are the “spiritually fit”?
–Jesus invited the unlikely to follow HIM. He did not invite to the Temple to see the great worship band or hear the local leaders read the Torah and watch the debate over it afterwards.
–Jesus helped others understand the intent of God’s Word. He was God’s Word.
–Jesus loved them in their sin and brought the unlikely to Him because of that unconditional love. “Come follow ME, come along WITH Me” was His mantra.
–So…should we love God first, study His love, walk in His love, follow Jesus example and love the “unlikely” like He did? Mm. I think we are on to something here…
Dear Heavenly Father,
I repent of inviting people to a building of imperfect sinners saved by grace. Transform me. Change me. Help me to live for You, to learn to be more like You and no one else. Help me to love like you love. I was once an unlikely. Thank you for saving me. Now help this lost but found person point others to You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 