Mark 12:13-17 "He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to Him, and He was teaching them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he rose and followed Him. And as He reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. And the scribes and the Pharisees when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS.'"
As we continue on in our discussion of Mark we come across a passage that seems to jeopardize the ministry of the Messiah. However, upon further investigation only reveals Jesus' heart for those who are hurting, hated, and in need of healing.
To many Christians, associating with those who are non-Christians is a non-negotiable. There is no way that they would ever be caught sitting at a table with people who were considered to be sinners. They had the fear, as did the Pharisees, that they would be identified with those people. They would be thrown into their category of "sinful" and not be seen for the "good Christian" that they are. Or they had the fear of breaking any law in the Bible that goes against dining and hanging out with those who are sinful. This was the Pharisee's problem. They felt that they were "above" those who were at the banquet, that they were "holier" than them and could not associate with them.
THIS THINKING SHOULD BE DESTROYED. Who do we strive to be like? JESUS. Whose life does our life imitate? JESUS. Who do we look to as an example to live our lives? JESUS. If this be the case, we should carefully examine Jesus' actions at this party. Jesus dined with the sinful people in Capernaum. He did not isolate Himself from everyone, He didn't condemn them either, but socialized with them, hung out with them. NOW, keep in mind, Jesus NEVER assimilated them. He never took part in their sinning, He was in the world, and not of the world. He was a "friend of the sinners." WHY? Because He loved them. He loved them for WHO THEY WERE, NOT WHAT THEY DID. He looked into their hearts and loved them.
How many times in your life do you walk by those who, you know, need a Savior because they are "too sinful" or "too far gone"? MAY THIS WEEK BE DIFFERENT. Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see others in His light and the love that He has for others around you. And don't be afraid to hang out with non-believers. Share with them the love of Christ. You all have an amazing opportunity to get involved with clubs, jobs, classes where people NEED Jesus. Now it is your turn to bring Him to them. God Bless!
Mark 12:13-17 "He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to Him, and He was teaching them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he rose and followed Him. And as He reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. And the scribes and the Pharisees when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS.'"
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