Are you ready to change directions and follow Jesus?
Today's Scripture:
Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Luke 5:31-32
Jesus had asked fishermen to follow him and become disciples. However, Jesus's most recent choice for a disciple was raising more than a few eyebrows among Jewish religious leaders. Matthew was a tax collector, and tax collectors were despised by Jews and Gentiles alike. The rate of taxes people had to pay was vague, so it was easy for tax collectors to charge people more than they should. Then the tax collectors would use the excess they received to live extravagant lifestyles. For the Jews, the fact that a Jewish tax collector would even associate with Gentiles was itself a problem. Even if Matthew was an honest, God fearing Jew, he was viewed by his peers as a disputable sinner.
The Pharisee challenged Jesus's association with Matthew - and Jesus's attending a party at Matthew's house with other sinners just like him. Jesus's response was a bit tongue-in-cheek. He spoke to the Pharisees' view of themselves, that they were righteous and spiritually healthy, which they were not. By doing so, he emphasized how his time should be spent with those who needed his help most, instead of with those who didn't recognize their need.
Jesus called people not just to follow him, but to repent.
Repentance is not changing your actions to become more righteous. Repentance is totally changing the direction you are headed.
It is allowing God to change your mind and heart to be more in line with his own. Once you do that, a change in your actions, plans, and attitudes will naturally follow.
Selah people' and friends Matthew's change of direction was so radical that he wound up writing part of the Bible, the Gospel of Matthew. Through God, your life change can be just as dramatic and significant.
"Jesus came by today to visit with you...did you let him in?"
Your pastor,
Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)
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