“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” v. 1-2
This past weekend our student ministry held a B2S Retreat where we focused on Evangelism all weekend! Sometimes, who am I kidding, many times evangelism can be scary. One of the things I notice as I read through the scriptures and study the life of Jesus, rarely do you see Him hanging out with the religious people of the day. He always drew a crowd and wasn’t afraid to be with people that others might condemn. He loved them the way they were but challenged to become all that God wanted them to be.
This resonates with me so much. Jesus wants each of us to follow His example and share His love with everyone, not just some. I love what the NLT Study Bible says about Jesus in the notes today,
Jesus came to offer salvation to sinners and to show that God loves them. Jesus didn’t worry about the accusations. Instead, he continued going to those who needed him, regardless of the effect these rejected people might have on his reputation.
Jesus saw everyone the way they were intended to be not the way they were! For that, I am thankful . . . aren’t you? When you look at others what do you see? How do you respond?
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” v. 7
Dan Gould 
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