11-08-2023

Good Morning All,

       Mark 2:16; “And the scribes of 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?”

     “I won’t sit by HER!! She’s got cooties!!  Well, I was 5 at the time so cut me a little slack.  It only took a few years to learn that girls didn’t really have cooties; but I did learn.  Yet how often do we still act like that.  What is it that makes us see things this way?  Why do we feel this way?

    There is an old story about a man who went to a church.  He always had dirty shoes and very dusty clothes and never put anything in the collection plate.  People smiled and nodded at him but never sat too close or shook his hand or ever really talked to him.  One Sunday little Timmy and his family sat by the man.  After services we over, little Timmy introduced himself to the man.  “Hi, I’m Timmy, what’s your name?”  “My name is Ben, nice to meet you, Timmy.”  Timmy looked at him and asked, “Why are your clothes so dirty?”  You can imagine Timmy’s mother’s reaction.  The man smiled and told Timmy that he had to walk three miles to church down the dirt road in back. 

     The mother apologized but the man told her that Timmy was the first person to talk to him since he started coming to church here and he liked the conversation.  Then the mother was really embarrassed.  Then she felt guilty.  So, she asked the man about his life, and he told her that his car broke down and he couldn’t afford to fix it.  He lived alone but liked the church.  Timmy’s father was listening and asked the man if he would like a ride home.  The person behind them told him he could ride with them next week.  Soon the man was involved in a lively conversation.  He was finally home.

    Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?  Because he looks into their heart and sees faith and what the future holds for them.  His love, mercy and forgiveness give them hope.  Why do we eat with tax collectors and sinners?  Because that is where we were.  Jesus looked at us and saw someone in need of redemption; someone in need of hope.  That is how we should look at our “tax collectors and sinners.”  We should not look at their past or even their present situation; rather we should see the need for redemption and the need for hope.

    God empowers us with his Holy Spirit to bring redemption and hope to the world.  Sometimes, those who need it the most have on really dirty clothes, but they are still God’s children.  We need to see past the dirt and the grime, the sins of the past or the struggles of today.  We need to see in them someone whom God wants to redeem; someone with whom we can share hope.

Father of all hope, by your Spirit move us to reach out to the hurting and the suffering.  Guide us to see that you desire all to be saved.  Use us to bring about this reconciliation.  We pray for those who feel they are tax collectors and sinners.  Give them the assurance of your forgiveness.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret