“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.” Matthew 9:12-13
Jesus had just called Matthew to follow Him. Matthew was a despised, hated tax-collector. There were very few people lower than him on the social status ladder. Along with calling Matthew, Jesus ate at his house with all of his ‘sinner’ friends. People were amazed.
Even today people in the church get amazed when another believer is doing something with a ‘bad sinner’. How can someone pollute themselves by being around such disgusting people? And, isn’t it possible to get corrupted by those people?
Very quickly Jesus points out that a healthy person does not need a doctor. Nobody goes to the doctor when they are not sick.
Along with that, Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6, is stating that God desires mercy, not sacrifice.
People in the church are very quick to throw stones at sinners in the world. Most sinners do not realize that they are sinners and are dying. They see themselves as a good person living life the best they can.
As a follower of Jesus, you are to have mercy on the lost. Jesus had mercy on you. He did not have to save you, but He did. He could have thrown the books at you and punished you, but He didn’t. Jesus called you.
You also should go out and call sinners to Jesus. In order to call a sinner, you must go where they are. You must spend time with them.
If a stranger suddenly walked up to you and offered you something, would you take it? Most likely not because you do not know or trust the person.
The same thing goes for the sinner. You walk up to him suddenly and offer him Jesus, most likely he will not take it. He needs to know you and realize that he needs Jesus. He needs to know that in reality he is very sick.
Although, you need to be careful in not catching the habits of sinners, you must be willing to go to them to call them to Jesus. Be willing to be a witness. Have mercy on the sinner. Realize he does not know what is really happening. Show the sinner the correct way by living it in front of him and calling him.
I pray today that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit to guide you; that God will open doors for you to be His witness to the lost; that God will show you ways to show His mercy to the sinner; that you will show God’s mercy and love, not judgment; and that God will build His kingdom through you.
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