Mercy Not Religion

Jesus had just asked Matthew (a tax collector) to be one of his followers. He accepted that invitation, and Jesus went to his house for a meal with him and his friends.

When you think about who would be there, would it be upstanding and wonderful people? No. It would more than likely be other tax collectors and those that really needed to hear what Jesus represented. And you know what? Jesus was okay with that. It didn’t matter what the Pharisees said in “earshot” of Jesus. He wasn’t there for them, and He let them know that.

Today's verses tell us He wasn’t there to help the “healthy”. They don’t need to hear Him or be near Him. He was not about religion. he was about mercy and relationships. He was not there to “coddle” insiders.

We are all imperfect. We may not be “tax collectors”, but we should be willing followers of Jesus that would want Him to be near our friends.

If you are like me, I’d much rather share a meal with a Christian who is a “little rough around the edges” so to speak, than with someone who thinks they “know it all” and are “religious” to the hilt. I’m not about “coddling” religious folks. I will always be kind to them, but I’m over trying to please them. They need to step out of their “religious” mindset and into a more merciful and loving one.

What category do you fit into? Are you just religious and only associate with other religious folks or are you a true follower and reach out to those that really need your Jesus. Hopefully, you reach out and say, “Let me tell you about my Jesus”.

Matthew 9:12-13 MSG

[12-13] Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." #paulaandthebible #helpforyourdailywalk