Embracing the Unlovables

Week two of the series “Following Jesus” is all about how Jesus showed His enduring love to all people, especially the sinners and outcasts who no one else would love.

Let’s start today with this prayer. As you read or listen, invite God into your heart.

Dear Lord, You are so good to me, even when I am struggling to do Your will. Thank You, God, for always forgiving me, and giving me another chance to step up and be a better person. I love You, Lord, and I want to be more like You. Help me to grow and be a better disciple. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Matthew 9:10-13 (NLT)
10 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.”

Yesterday we explored what it looks like to have a heart full of generosity. Now, we will focus on just how much Jesus cared for those in need. In today’s scripture, we find Jesus sharing a meal with tax collectors and sinners from various walks of life. Unlike the Pharisees, who were full of self-righteous superiority, the sinners and tax collectors knew who they were and that what they were doing with their lives was wrong. Do you think Jesus cared more about the sinners He was dining with than the Pharisees? If so, why?

I think Jesus related to these people because they were vulnerable and open to hearing what He had to say, even when what He said to them was painful to hear.

Jesus told the Pharisees to seek the meaning of the scripture from Hosea 6:6. In this scripture, the prophet Hosea lashed out at the Jews, who were using animal sacrifices to excuse themselves from idolatry and oppression of the poor. For Jesus, mercy is so much more important than sacrifice. In an online article entitled “I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice,” Christian author and speaker Denise Loock says that acts of sacrifice have pronouns such as “me”, “my”, and “I” attached to them. But I see acts of mercy centering around words like “she”, “he” and “they”. Do you see a distinct difference between making sacrifices of your time, money, and actions, and having mercy for someone as you share and give of yourself?

Mercy is all about love and relationships. It is not caring about a person’s past or current status, but only about their future. A future filled with a sense of belonging, knowing they are loved by our steadfast and merciful Savior.

As you process through what we talked about today, spend some time in prayer and let the presence of the Holy Spirit speak to you. Feel free to use the following prompts if you need help getting started with your prayer.

If you are struggling with the difference between sacrifice and mercy, ask God to help you understand.
 
Talk to God about what He wants from you when it comes to feeling love for all people, no matter their circumstances.

I pray our Heavenly Father blesses you with an abundance of love and grace today.