Thought for the Day – November 14, 2009

Text: Matthew 9:10-13

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  NIV

This text explains a key concept of interaction with others.  So often, when Christians come into context with non-Christians, they want to invite them to church.  Jesus never invited people to synagogue to hear him preach or to heal them.  Jesus went to them.  He went into their homes, preached on the hilltops, and healed people wherever or whenever He found them.  He was searching for those who were searching for Him.

 

Jesus went to Matthew’s house.  He sat with those despised by the religious community.  He ate with those who were unclean.  He was “at home” and made others feel “at home” with Him.  Jesus felt most welcomed by those who needed a doctor – those who knew they were sick with sin.  He healed them from the inside out.

The greatest lesson learned in the last few years of my life comes from this text.  As a pastor, everything was geared around the weekly worship service.  The key was bringing more people to church, so they would return and become a part of the church.  Today, I rarely invite someone to House Church.  I would much rather meet with them in their home, a restaurant or a coffee place.  These are safe places for them to talk about life and faith.  I search for those who are searching.  I listen to the wounded.  I want to make others feel “at home” with me.  I am learning.  I am growing.  God is honored.

Thought for the Day – As followers of Christ, Jesus asks us to go to others where they are found, not ask them to come to us.