email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

October 20, 2017

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

New International Version (NIV)

When you get a good draft pick you need to use it well. Every sports team knows that. When Casey drew the first pick in the goat lottery last year, we chose well. Later she chose a great steer. The jury is not in on the new goat. He cries a lot! Even more important than choosing FFA animals is learning how to relate to others.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were perplexed by his willingness to associate with the undesirables. He picked Matthew, a tax collector for the Roman government, to join his team of disciples. This was a sure sign to the Pharisees that Jesus was a bad man. Why else would he associate with bad people?

In this story and later in the Zacchaeus story, we not only see Jesus voluntarily associating himself with tax collectors, but we hear him explain his reasoning. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. He came to seek and to save the lost. With whom do we associate? How does Jesus’ example inform our relationships. Are we more inclined to be with the self-righteous people or the people who know they need God? Choose well. We dare not waste these important decisions because they may only come to us once. Eternity is at stake.

Pray with me:

Father, thank you for choosing us. We know it is only by your mercy that we have come to this place of being your children. Since you have shown us mercy, by all means help us to show mercy to others. Help us to keep the appointments you have made for us today to get to know sinners. Give us eyes to see and hearts to love the way that you do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.

Joyfully,

Duane

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