In today's reading from Matthew 9, we see just how
amazing grace is. In v.9, Jesus invites a tax collector - Matthew - to be
his disciple. Seems innocent enough, until you realize just how despised
most tax collectors in Jesus' day were. Many, like Matthew, were Jews who
worked for the Roman government. The tax collection process was full of
corruption and deceit. Jews who worked as tax collectors were especially
despised by other Jews, because their very own were pawns of a corrupt
government trying to make life unbearable for Jews. It's a good bet that
Matthew was despised and hated by many of his fellow Jews.
In v.10, we see that Jesus didn't only invite this
hated man to a new life following him, but that he actually went and had dinner
at his house and that, "many tax collectors and
sinners came and ate with him and his disciples." This infuriated
the Pharisees who asked incredulously, “Why
does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
We don't know what the sins
of these "sinners" were, but we know that Jesus saw great value in
them and spent time with them and showed them amazing grace. And Jesus
gets to the heart of the matter in v.v. 12&13 when he says, "On hearing this, Jesus
said, “It is not
the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I
desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but
sinners.”
Many people today think that grace
means we ignore sin and brokenness, and just show kindness to others. But
grace confronts sin and brokenness and points it out. Until the
"sick" and "sinners" know that they're sick and sinful,
grace means absolutely nothing. Until you realize your need for a Savior,
the Good News of the Gospel means absolutely nothing.
When we have received grace and
really get what grace is about, it should humble and amaze us every day.
For those of us who know Jesus, we should never, ever forget what it was like
to live apart from Him. We should never, ever forget that he saved us
from sin not because we deserved it, but simply because He loves us. When
we understand our own need for grace, everything changes with how we view
others who are separated from God because of their sin.
If you know me at all, you know that
one of the things I'm very passionate about is Steelers football. Last
Sunday as I watched 2 of the most despised teams in Steeler Nation play for the
AFC Championship - the Ravens and Patriots - I mused on Facebook that trying to
decide who I wanted to win was like trying to decide if I'd rather have a
colonoscopy or a root canal.
The face of the Ravens franchise is
Ray Lewis, a ferocious middle linebacker who was the first draft pick in in
Ravens history. As a Steeler fan, I loathe Ray Lewis the football
player. There are many football fans, and non-football fans too, that
loathe Ray Lewis the man because he was at the center of a double homicide
investigation 13 years ago in a melee after the Super Bowl in Atlanta. He
was initially charged with murder, and later plead guilty to obstruction of
justice. There are many people out there who believe he got away with
murder, and absolutely despise him.
In recent years, Ray Lewis has been
very vocal about his relationship with Jesus and his love for God.
Incredulous people say, "There's no way! It's all a show! He's
a murderer! He's got 4 kids with 3 different women! There's no way
he's a Christian!"
I know that many people in the public
spotlight, when they face trouble, will talk about "finding
Jesus" or "getting right with God." I'll admit that I’m skeptical until
I see transformation happen.
People can say it without really meaning it or living it out. But Ray Lewis seems different. I watched a documentary about him a few
weeks ago, and I was really surprised to see who he has become and the things
that are now important to him. He
is bearing the fruit of somebody who has been changed and transformed by
trusting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
I don’t know what happened
at that crime scene in Atlanta. I
still can’t cheer for Ray Lewis the football player, but I am cheering for Ray
Lewis the man. If Jesus has done
in Ray Lewis’ heart what Ray Lewis the man has said He has done (and the
evidence says He has) then Ray Lewis the man is my brother in Christ.
Many people will say, “But
it’s not fair!” And they’re
right. Grace isn’t fair. We don’t get to choose to receives
grace, only Jesus does. 1 John 1:9
says, “If we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and
to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
I’ve staked my life on that truth!
And as somebody who has staked my life on that truth, I’ve got to cheer
for others that stake their lives on that truth, no matter how wicked or
heinous their sins appear to be. I’ve
got to cheer for people who are seeking the hope and promise of that
truth! I pray and hope that
everybody comes to believe this truth!
It’s why I do what I do!
This is why grace is
amazing – nobody, despite what they have done, is beyond the grace of Jesus
Christ if they confess their sins and trust in the atoning work of Jesus Christ
on the cross and in the power of his resurrection from the dead!
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