Jesus ate dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and other bad people came and ate with Jesus and his followers. The Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with these people. The Pharisees asked Jesus' followers, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other bad people?" Jesus heard the Pharisees say this. So Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Healthy people don't need a doctor. It is the sick people that need a doctor.
- Matthew 9:10-12 (ERV)
THOUGHT:
It's one thing to minister to the outcasts and sinners in public preaching; it's quite another to go to their parties. Jesus did both. It made everyone in the religious power structure very nervous, and eventually, very beligerent. But Jesus came to earth on a mission. A little disapproval from some religious snobs didn't slow him down any.
Jesus' purpose, however, was not to cause controversy but to share salvation and fellowship with his new disciple and his friends. To this day, the best way for people to come to Christ is through a friend who has recently become a Christian. True friendship always shares our fellowship with our friends and Jesus!
PRAYER:
Father, thank you that Jesus had his mission so clearly in mind when he served here. Thank you that criticism would not derail him from this ministry. And Father, I ask for eyes to see and ears to hear so that I might minister to others who are seeking for the answers only you provide. In the grace and the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures:
So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach those people to obey everything that I have told you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of the world." - Matthew 28:19-20
{Why do I say people are like that?} Because John came, and he did not eat {like other people} or drink wine. And people say, 'He has a demon inside him.' The Son of Man came eating {like other people} and drinking wine, and people say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine. He is a friend of tax collectors and other bad people.' But wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does." - Matthew 11:18-19
