Summary of a section in the Bible - The book of Matthew chapter 9 verses 9-13.
1. Matthew was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Vs 9
The Jews especially
hated paying taxes to the oppressor, Rome.
Any Jew who collected taxes for them compromised his principles for the sake of profit.
He was allowed to charge extra, and have it enforced by Roman soldiers.
Matthew was a hated man.
2. Jesus sets you and
example of how to see and treat hated people. Vs 9-10
He has
mercy and says to Matthew, "Follow me.” Then he joins Matthew for dinner at his home and gets to know the other “sinners” who were Matthew’s friends. Jesus reaches out through Matthew and offers mercy to them.
For this hated man there is wrapped up in that invitation the call to belief, repentance with change, and sacrifice.
For you - you have the example of inviting the hated to be with you. This is not a “I forgive him but never will have anything to do with him ever again.” They
need contact with you. Do what God has done for you.
3. Jesus’ explanation of his attitude toward sinners. Vs 11-13
Expect the criticism of the self righteous. Vs. 11
It is the sick who need the Dr. We can be like the Insurance Co. and only want to insure the healthy. Vs. 12
This is not just religion, but reaching out to the sinful and hated to introduce Jesus to them. “…learn what this means: ''''I desire mercy, not sacrifice.''''” Vs. 13
This is his example to the Christian for what life is to be like for the Christian. Go looking for, and reach out to sinners, especially those you could hate. “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
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