JESUS SPEAKS
“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9: 12 – 13)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
The Pharisees loathed sinful outcasts. And yet Jesus came to save the lost. He mingled with many of the worst sinners; performing miracles and preaching a message of repentance and salvation. Repentance is a necessary component of the gospel message; it requires an individual to abandon their sinful living and embrace a life of purity. Because God is abundantly merciful, anyone, no matter how evil, can be reborn and forgiven; and walk as a follower of Jesus Christ.
There once lived a defiant prophet named Jonah. He hated the city of Nineveh and its wicked inhabitants with a passion. And yet, God commanded him to enter this evil city and preach a message of repentance; that they might be saved from impending destruction. In anger, Jonah refused to obey; instead he traveled in the completely opposite direction. During his journey he was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish. After three days in the creature’s belly, he was spit up onto dry land. He finally obeyed his calling and entered Nineveh; urging them to repent of their evil ways. Surprisingly, the citizens listened and repented; thus ensuring their survival. However, when Jonah saw that the city was spared he lamented, saying, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. One who relents from doing harm.” Jonah, like the Pharisees, did not share God’s heart.
Our God is merciful. And like Jesus and Jonah, we have been sent to preach the gospel to sinners. If we share the Lord’s heart for the lost we will reach out to those who are walking in darkness. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, may the light of Christ shine in us and through us, that others might hear the message of repentance and be saved. What an honor to be servants of the living God.
“Lord Heavenly Father, may we reach out to those who are lost. May we love those who are living in sin, and preach the gospel to them. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and guide our actions. Speak in us and through us, that many would come to repentance and know the goodness of your forgiveness and salvation. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
