ODJ: the “accept” button
December 12, 2010
Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners (v.17).
READ: Mark 2:13-17
After months of vowing not to, I finally signed up on Facebook and Twitter. My fears that these social media tools would rob me of precious writing time as I waded through endless updates have largely proven true! But the pros have outweighed the cons—particularly in keeping in touch with listeners to my radio program, Open House.
Open House has an audience of both believers and skeptics, each from a variety of backgrounds. So it was to be expected that I’d get a variety of folks inviting me to be their Facebook friend—including some with a lifestyle that’s contrary to biblical Christianity. How will this look to others? I wondered for a time. Should I press “Accept” or “Ignore” to their invitation?
A tax collector named Levi once threw a party to celebrate his being chosen as Jesus’ disciple (Mark2:14-15). Because he made citizens pay taxes to the Romans, Levi was considered a traitor by fellow Jews and was placed in the same league as prostitutes and Gentiles. So you can imagine the friends he invited to his party! The Pharisees were disgusted to see Jesus at this celebration, sitting around in full acceptance of all this “scum” (v.16).
While Jesus attracted some colorful followers (v.15), it appears that the party was not filled with repentant people. And this is striking. Jesus, the Son of God, did not require repentance before He offered acceptance. And why was that? Because “healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do” (v.17).
Jesus was more concerned with reaching people than with protecting His reputation. He hit “Accept” on their invitations, no matter who they were, and ended up changing them by doing so (Luke 19:5-10). Since our acceptance ends up changing us, don’t you think we should offer it to others? —Sheridan Voysey
Is there someone Jesus might be calling you to accept right now, even if that person is “unrepentant”? How did Jesus accept people without condoning their behavior?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: the joy in (not) being God
March 14, 2010 There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God (v.2). READ: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 In her novel Gilead, author Marilynne Robinson lets us in on the letter an aged Anglican priest named John Ames writes to his young son. The entire narrative is actually one long—almost rambling—letter. Married in [...]
ODJ: good judgement
January 29, 2012 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgement (Proverbs 4:7). READ: Matthew 7:1-5 Don’t judge me!” Most of us have used those words to defend ourselves when we believe someone has unfairly called into question something we’ve done. So, is it wrong to judge [...]
ODJ: a transforming vision
November 17, 2009 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land” (v.1). READ: Hosea 4:1-3 Where there is no vision, the people perish,” states the well-known proverb (29:18 KJV). Or, as the New Living [...]
ODJ: no babbling
June 4, 2010 When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again (v.7). READ: Matthew 6:1-13 The Lord’s Prayer is well-known and often quoted (Matthew 6:9-13). It has become, however, a victim of its own popularity. While [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
i love zat JESUS lets è little children come to him no matter how naughty or nice theyv been…
HE’s a Santa wiv a difference.hehehe