LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES, LIKE POSITIVE TO NEGATIVE IONS,
There are things that we as Christians should be so attracted to that at times it becomes impossible for us to maintain any safe distance.
HE HAD TO KNOW THE ANSWER!
In the midst of the pushing and shoving, calling as he went, a certain young lawyer made his way through the mass of people, “ Teacher! Teacher! He called.”
The central figure stopped; the crowd about Him responded.
Turning toward the voice, the entreated Teacher spoke. “What is it that you desire today friend?”
Here he was, a young lawyer, standing face to face with the Teacher from Galilee. He had heard so much about the man; the dead were restored to life in His presence, the blind were made to see. Some had even stated that a voice from the very heavens had spoken on behalf of this Teacher at a baptismal service.
Again the Teacher asked, “My young friend, how may I serve you?”
His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as he struggled to ask the question that drove him into the presence of Teacher.
And then he blurted it out, in spite of himself.
“Teacher, I don’t understand. You have done so many wonderful things. And,…..your teachings,……I have never heard so many wonderful words. Some have said that you are a prophet, and some have even imagined that you could be Messiah.”
He went on asking, “Teacher, don’t you know who these people are that your are with tonight? Excuse me sir, but these people are---sinners-- tax collectors!”
There it was, he had said it and he felt better, and he felt worse at the same time.
How would this man called Jesus respond, to such accusations?
Jesus allowed His eyes to wander over those in the crowd surrounding Him.
It was true!
It was just as the young lawyer had stated. These were not the choice of the community.
These were not graduates of the schools of prophets. Yes some, were indeed tax collectors, collaborators with the hated Romans. And yes, there were some gathered among them that were guilty of far worse than that.
Jesus looked back at the young lawyer, and pondered whether he really wanted the truth or was he just here to point a Pharasitical finger at the Teacher?
Then the silence was broken.
“Friend. It is just as you say. Such were some of these. But is it not true that those who are healthy have no need for a physician? Can you not see and feel their need?”
“If you had one hundred sheep and one became lost would you not seek it out, to return it to the fold?”
“Friend, you and those who sent you should rejoice, that I have come, not to call the righteous, but the sinner to repentance.”
What weighty, unexpected words! Jesus, certainly knew who those were that were gathered around Him. And more than that, He was glad that they were in His presence.
This was just the crowd that He was seeking!
Again the lawyers thoughts were interrupted by the words of the Teacher.
“Friend, I have taught in your temple, and in the synagogues; but never have you responded there like these people do here. These receive my words gladly. Your rulers receive them with suspicion. These peoples lives are changed. Those you love become more cynical and distant. Can you fault me for associating with those who will let Me help them most?”
The encounter was over. Jesus turned, and the crowd moved on.
Our friend, the lawyer, was left to ponder Jesus words, and so are we.
For like the lawyer, we, too, face the danger of isolationism.
We read; “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17), and upon reading we sometimes interpret it to mean, that we are to avoid physical proximity at all cost; and in some cases, especially for a weak or a new Christian, we should.
But to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we should be known as “a friend of sinners.”
We must be seen at some non-church functions, visible, moving, working, but not ever stepping down from a higher standard. A standard given us by our Lord.
We do well to be in the company of saints. We should never feel out of place there.
But Jesus, at times, was glad to be in the company of sinners, also.
Jesus, found these people to have the most need for Him (Matthew 9:12,13; Luke 15:2-7.)
And since He came to seek and to save the lost, (Luke 19:10), He felt glad to be among the needy.
Jesus found these people to be the most receptive to the message (Luke 7:36-50).
There love and devotion to Himwas unequalled in the other circles that Jesus frequented.
The best of men can take only so much hostility and rejection; and our Lord still desires that fresh, unbounded love and devotion that flows from the Christ.
As His servants we should feel the most satisfaction, when we can bring such people to Him. And how can we be successful in that endeavor without following His example?
Finally, Jesus was glad to be among that group of people because He loved them (Luke 15:2, 11-32).
As a father loves a son, so Jesus loves a person----saint or sinner---with and unconditional love.
Regardless of what you do, He wants you. He loves you, He cares.
We should seek maturity to the point where our love is unconditional. Regardless of the lifestyle of man, whether drug addict, drug dealer, prostitute, homosexual, alcoholic, or any other.
Is our love unconditional, based upon social, or financial status, or do we seek those and structure our programs around them first and ignore the ones that Jesus called “the least of these?”
Are we, as Christ, friends to sinners?
A separated lifestyle is necessary to lift them, but a friendship is necessary to influence them.
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