Jesus Was…, 15

~ Jesus Christ Was a Friend to the Despised of Society  ~

Passages  ~  “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’  When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance’” (Matthew 9:10-13). 

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2).

Comment  ~  In the society of that day tax collectors were the despised of the despised. 

Significance  ~  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all mankind.  The reality is that the self-sufficient often do not recognize their need for a Savior.  This is why a former queen of England said that she was so thankful for that “m” in Scripture.  She was referring to, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not Many wise according to the flesh, not Many mighty, not Many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26-30).  The queen was so thankful that the Word did not say “not any.” 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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