"When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16.17
I was overwhelmingly blessed to, once again, work the TEAM 413 booth at the St. Louis Marathon Expo last weekend. Talking about and sharing the Lord with runners and their families is most certainly my favorite way to spend any 48 hour period. It was a pleasure to welcome many new people to the ministry as well as catch up with some old friends, many of whom I had run this race with before. So when asked by a long time member whether or not I would be joining him at the start line Sunday, I sadly revealed that I would be sitting this one out due to injury. As he emphatically shook his head, he pointed out the irony in being at a run but not being able to participate.
Did you know that the bible gives us an even greater example of irony when it tells us that the Pharisees were disgruntled and appalled that Jesus would eat a meal "with the sinners and tax collectors"? But I love the way he responded! Jesus replied to their indignation by saying, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." You see Jesus gladly associated with sinners because he loved them and he knew that they, more than anyone, needed to hear what he had to say. He touched the leper, he held the hand of the poor and he extended his arm to the prostitute. Jesus indeed came to save people like you and me.
And just like Jesus, you and I should be "eating with the sinners" and the lost too. We should be spending time with those needing to hear the words of Jesus. Whether poor, rich, bad, good, dirty or polished, we must seek out those people in need of Christ. I wonder if we are doing that today though? Don't you think it would be exceptionally ironic to call ourselves Christians without ever showing the love of Christ? I certainly do.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the perfect example to follow to love others the way we should. Help us to share the message with everyone regardless of their social standing or their past. Lord please help us to remind ourselves that we too were lost and in need of salvation as we reach out to every person you put in our path. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
Did you know that the bible gives us an even greater example of irony when it tells us that the Pharisees were disgruntled and appalled that Jesus would eat a meal "with the sinners and tax collectors"? But I love the way he responded! Jesus replied to their indignation by saying, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." You see Jesus gladly associated with sinners because he loved them and he knew that they, more than anyone, needed to hear what he had to say. He touched the leper, he held the hand of the poor and he extended his arm to the prostitute. Jesus indeed came to save people like you and me.
And just like Jesus, you and I should be "eating with the sinners" and the lost too. We should be spending time with those needing to hear the words of Jesus. Whether poor, rich, bad, good, dirty or polished, we must seek out those people in need of Christ. I wonder if we are doing that today though? Don't you think it would be exceptionally ironic to call ourselves Christians without ever showing the love of Christ? I certainly do.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the perfect example to follow to love others the way we should. Help us to share the message with everyone regardless of their social standing or their past. Lord please help us to remind ourselves that we too were lost and in need of salvation as we reach out to every person you put in our path. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
Jesus friend of sinners - Casting Crowns
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