Saturday, September 27, 2008
Matthew 9:12-13 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."
COMING AND GOING
Jesus told the Pharisees who found fault with His eating with "sinners" to "go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'"
After His resurrection Jesus told His disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Jesus called Matthew to serve Him by serving sinners who needed the same thing that Matthew had needed when Jesus called him. What had happened where Matthew was concerned would also play out in the lives of many whom Jesus would reach through Matthew. Every sinner Jesus calls to repentance Jesus sends out in His name. Come to Jesus. Now go for Jesus.
And those who reject the Savior because they feel they are not really sinners in need of repentance, Jesus sends them as well -- sends them to the Word that reveals the cancerous self-righteousness and self-absorption that afflicts the human heart by nature.
And then, when the Law has done its work? Still the Savior calls. Don't forget that one of Jesus' greatest missionaries was plucked from the ranks of the Pharisees (Acts 23:6).
Has Jesus called you?
