MATTHEW 9:10-11

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

TO PONDER

Many Bible scholars believe this story to be Matthew's account of the same meal Jesus was at in yesterday's reading from Luke's gospel. It is likely that Levi and Matthew are the same person Levi being his Jewish name and Matthew being the Roman name he adopted working as a tax collector for Rome. What really matters here is not whose house Jesus is at but who he is there with.

Jesus made a point of spending time and eating with those who were often considered 'outsiders' by the rest of their community. This meant that Jesus' disciples did also, because as disciples, they went where Jesus went, did what Jesus did and ate what Jesus ate.

That's why we are asking the question, "Where is Jesus?" in our current sermon series. As disciples of Jesus ourselves, we also should be wherever Jesus is, doing whatever Jesus is doing and trying to become more like Jesus. So where are the places in your life where you get to interact with those who are perhaps considered 'less desirable'. Would your work colleagues question you the way the Pharisee's questioned Jesus disciples, "Why are you hanging out with those people?"

"Those people" are not necessarily tax collectors and 'sinners' today but they are the people our society marginalises and pushes to the edge. Those who are lonely and disconnected, those who are struggling financially, those who live with disabilities, the list goes on.

Jesus did not get to eat with every sinner and tax collector while he walked with his disciples, but whenever he was offered the chance he seems to have taken it. So as we follow Jesus we should look out for opportunities to come along side those who might need Jesus as their doctor and take the opportunities to bring Jesus to the party.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, Please help me to see the places and opportunities you are giving me to bring you to people who need you in their lives. Give me a heart to practice hospitality not only with people like me, but also with those which the world overlooks and casts aside. Please help me to follow you more closely to all the places you want me to go. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle