MATTHEW’S PARTY
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.”
Matthew 9:10–12 (NLT)
Influencing the culture is rarely clean or comfortable. A few years ago, some of you may remember when drag queens began volunteering for children’s story hour at our local libraries. Many Christians were shocked and outraged. Complaints poured into city council offices, the Library Board of Trustees, and branch managers. Our Five Forks library became ground zero. Protesters showed up on both sides.
Most people were peaceful, but the news footage told a familiar story. Shouting. Anger. Name-calling. Christians and activists yelling past each other. The branch manager was stuck in the middle. It was ugly.
Around that same time, a friend of mine became a new pastor in the Five Forks area. Instead of leading protests, he spent weeks walking into local stores, businesses, and yes, even the library. His goal was simple. Get to know people and let them know the church was there to serve.
When he asked to meet the library manager, the man came out tense and nervous, braced for another confrontation. My friend smiled, shook his hand, thanked him for serving the community, and asked if there was anything he could pray for him personally.
The manager stood there, stunned. That was not what he expected.
The religious leaders in Jesus’ day were furious that he spent time with tax collectors, traitors, prostitutes and people they labeled as scum. This man welcomes sinners and eats with them, they complained. Jesus did not excuse sin or participate in it, but He also did not avoid sinners. He moved toward them.
I have never changed someone’s heart by shouting at them. I have never argued anyone into the Kingdom.
This will make some of us uncomfortable, but I wonder how different things might have gone if one angry Christian had put down a protest sign and invited a drag queen to dinner instead.
Jesus said lost people are sick and need a doctor. He is the Great Physician. And I am grateful, because I was once lost and sick with sin myself.
APPLICATION: Be radical. Invite someone far from God over for a Matthew Party and treat them like a friend, not a project.
PRAYER: Lord, help me act more like Jesus than a Pharisee when I engage people labeled as sinners. Give me love, courage and humility to share the truth of the Gospel with grace. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?