"Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture: 'I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.' For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough" (Matthew 9:13).
No doubt about it! Jesus is a radical! Refusing to live up to the expectations of the religious elite, Jesus makes his home among sinners. He hangs out with the sick for they are the ones who need a doctor. If Jesus was the cure for cancer--then he would surround himself with cancer. If He was a custodian--then he would go to dirty and neglected houses. Better than any of these things--Jesus is a Savior, therefore, he surrounds himself with lost, hopeless, and broken failures. He calls sinners--those who don't already think that they are good enough. What is the most shameful and embarrassing thing about you? That's why Jesus calls you! He isn't calling your good stuff--it will only get in the way. He is calling the worst in you--the stuff that you wished never happened--the things that you hope no one knows about. He is calling the sinner in you. He is calling the brokenness so that he can provide healing. Why? For the glory of God! If I could point to anything in my life that merits salvation then I could glory in that. But because I am saved--not by my works--but by Christ's gift, there is nothing in me worthy of praise--only God can be glorified! It's all Him! "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Praise the Lord! Not the God of: "Clean up and come." But the God of "Come and be cleaned!" Love it! Like adreneline for the soul! Thanks Dave!
I have been thinking a lot lately about the disease of brokenness among many others like pride, arrogance, greed and lack of compassion. I have been think a lot about Jesus healing the leper and wonder if I would have been as brave.
Good words, Brad!
Mike, There are lepers all around us. Sure their skin is fine...but their are social lepers, spiritual lepers, etc. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting. Come back often!
Post a Comment