Why Eat with Scum?

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, He said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do." Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matthew 9:10-13  

Jesus quoted the book of Hosea.

"O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?" asks the LORD. "For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust.  Hosea 6:4-7

We often refer to Jesus as the Great Physician because He healed the sick—the blind, deaf, lame, those with leprosy and others as well. The book of Mark also records Jesus words…

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17 NASB

Sick or Hurt? Call the Rescue Wagon - the Doctors!

He was concerned about and compassionate to those who were physically and spiritually sick. Those self-righteous Pharisees didn’t even want to be around those who they considered to be beneath them—the tax collectors and other sinners. They remind me of another parable that Jesus spoke about someone with a log or a speck in their eye. Those Pharisees are the one with the log in their eye.

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 NASB

Jesus didn’t see those tax collectors and sinners as scum. They were precious in His eyes. He had compassion on them…just as He has compassion on us.

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

He is my shepherd. Is He your shepherd?

Prayer ~ Oh Lord Jesus…You are my shepherd; I shall not want. You makes me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside quiet waters. You restores my soul. You guide me in the paths of righteousness For Your name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD—Your House—forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NASB

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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