Who Should We Tell?

We have a lot of different things that we like to tell others. Sadly, if it is gossip we will tell whoever will listen. If it is about a new baby, we will tell almost anyone... except for those that are a little creepy. For jobs, sports, politics, etc. we probably have a much smaller group. Especially with politics as it becomes an "us and them" situation instead of civil conversations about our country. Sometimes when we talk about church, that circle is smaller yet. If it isn’t someone we are comfortable with or has something positive to add to our community, we often steer clear. The one who smells funny, has awkward social skills, hangs out at the bar, or wears clothes that are unacceptable by our standards are usually left alone. O, we are fine with sending money and items overseas to people there because we probably won’t actually see them or have to interact physically with them. If someone does come from the mission fields to here, it is likely someone that has done pretty well and thus would fit in... if nothing else, be a charity case. What does Jesus say? You might be saying, “Why did you have to go down that road?” You might feel that way because you know Jesus accepted people from all walks of life. The gospel lesson today was from the book of Matthew chapter 9. Jesus calls a tax collector to follow Him. Tax collectors were about as vile or hated as any man could be. By the way, his name was Matthew. He became one of the twelve disciples. Jesus went to Matthew's house to eat and many tax collectors and “sinners” joined them. The leaders of the church asked, in shock, how Jesus, who was meant to be a good teacher, could eat with such sinners. Jesus response was that he didn’t come to rescue the righteous, but the sick. Sometimes we spend so much time trying to keep the “good people” in our church happy that we have no time or energy left to reach out to the “sick”. I knew a pastor that didn’t want the “drunks” to hear the gospel because they might sully God’s name. Can you imagine that? Jesus says, "Go! Tell the drunks, the promiscuous, the awkward, the loner, the unkempt, foul mouth, the gender confused, etc. We are not to accept actions contrary to God’s word, but we are to love them. Father, Help us to welcome all people into your house and share the gospel with whoever will listen. May they find peace in You. Amen