People like to party. Pagan people can party with the best of them. Alcohol, drugs, sex, music, laughter, food, dancing and camaraderie are pretty common place. I write this on a late Friday afternoon. I am sure there will be some partying later on this Friday night.
I heard about a party recently. Some of the most despised people in the city were invited and in attendance. There were deplorables there as some would label them. People with reputations if you know what I mean. People with checkered pasts. Some of those in attendance might be considered the scum of society. Corrupt, dishonest, immoral and more. They all gathered to have a good time at the residence of a friend.
This was the kind of party you would be glad not to be invited to. Such a party atmosphere is no place for church going Christian people as they say. I probably would not have even noticed the event if it had not been for the guest lists. I heard about one person in particular in attendance who seemed out of place. To be honest this person's attendance shocked me. I could not believe such a good person would willingly choose to attend a party with so many bad people. This individual is well respected, of the highest and most noble character. A very prominent person in the community. Not known for partying. Certainly not partying with scoundrels and rascals.
As plain as day this person not only attended the party but mixed with the sinners and scandalous. Many people were offended. The religious community condemned such actions. The whole thing became the talk of the town. Rumors spread. Gossip gobbled ground in all directions.
The host of the party did not receive the brunt of the criticism. He made out the guest list. The well respected person of noble character got labeled and condemned. Why? Just for showing up. This person did engage in sin, compromise convictions or act in an unbecoming way. All the criticism for just showing up.
You know who that well respected person was? None other than Jesus Himself. Matthew threw a party and invited tax collectors and sinners. He also invited Jesus. Jesus sat right next to sinners and engaged them in conversation.
Mark 2:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.
14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
I find it interesting that the most holy man to ever walk the face of this planet sat next to sinners and they felt comfortable enough to eat with Him. They were not repelled by Jesus. I would go so far as to say just the opposite. They were attracted to Jesus. I am sure they were convicted as He spoke truth to them. I am sure many were transformed at that party.
I contrast that with how many irreligious people feel about local churches. In one word, judgmental. Jesus in one word, love. The love of Jesus attracted people from all walks of life and backgrounds. The judgmental attitude of church folks repulses the very ones who need Jesus the most.
I recall talking to a black preacher one day. He did street ministry and evangelism. With huge tears in his eyes he declared, "Matt, people are desperate to get to Jesus. They can't get to Him because they stumble over all the religious church people." That conversation took place twenty years ago and I still remember it like it just happened.
What a travesty. Jesus attracted sinners and His church often repels them. This ought not be. Sinful people need Jesus. Pious religious people ought to first look at their own sin before judging others. [Matt 7:1-5]
Over the years Brenda and I have befriended irreligious people. We have loved them. We have shared Jesus with them. Many of them did not embrace Him but we did not give up loving them. We have heard their views on the church. The irreligious see the hypocrisy and pious judgmental attitudes of many churches. Sadly some of the worst are preachers. Think on it. Preachers who are supposed to help people get to Jesus can be the very ones turning them off and pushing them away from Jesus and the church. Repentance must first begin with Christians.
What about your life? Are you attracting people to Jesus or repelling them away?
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