“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house (He had just called Matthew to follow Him AMY), 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.” (Matt. 9:10-13)
It seems reasonable AMY, that Jesus should not waste His time on the lowly sinners of the world, but should rather focus on the MORAL ELITE of the world. Common sense says God is near to “good people” and far from those who are sinners. But Jesus calling His disciple Matthew, a tax collector and sinner, blows up this “common sense” and replaces it with the REAL GOOD NEWS, sinners can be near to God by following Jesus.
There are people who say that God isn’t fair, but do we really want God to be fair? If He were completely fair, then NONE OF US could be forgiven. Rather than asking God for justice, we must ASK FOR MERCY because if He were really to give us all what we truly deserve, not one of us could possibly be saved. For all of those who refuse to believe in Jesus, they will get justice, but it’s not the justice that they really want. AMY, Jesus said whoever believes in Him will NOT BE CONDEMNED, “Whoever believes in the Son has ETERNAL LIFE, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” (John 3:36) So, believe and receive!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham