Being "Scum" Lovers

REFERENCE: Matt. 9:10-13 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don’t need a doctor--sick people do." 13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Observation: This section of verses states so clearly what we as the church need to learn. Frankly, we are bad at it. Instead of associating with the hurting, wounded people of our world, we shun them or, at least, ignore them. We want to help healthy people--our churches are full of them (at least, relatively healthy ones). We are good at worshipping, praying, tithing (read "sacrifices") we, too often, fall down in the area of giving mercy. The world is crying out for a group of Christians who are reaching out to the sinners instead of the righteous.

Application/Confession: As a pastor, my primary call is to minister to Christians. I'm happy to do that. What I need to do, what I am doing, is to look for those chances to reach out to sinners and hurting people and offer mercy and love.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to find those people who really need you and to love them into the kingdom. Lord, give me "sick, sinners" to love and to call into relationship with you.