“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:13
Since going to prison, Dan had not heard from his family or his friends. “They were scandalized by my crime and want nothing to do with me,” he said, discouraged. So I asked him to take a look in the Bible at what Jesus thinks of criminals.
Along with pointing out very specific comforting words found in Psalm 68:6, Psalm 79:11, and Isaiah 42:7, I like to remember how Jesus made every effort to be with sinners and tax collectors. Tax collectors were despised as traitors. “Good” people would have nothing to do with them. But that didn’t keep Jesus from calling Matthew as one of His followers.
When He went to Matthew’s house for dinner, the only ones who would join were other tax collectors and sinners. And come they did! The “good” people in town were offended, demanding an explanation for why Jesus kept such company. His answer was simple: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is humbling and beautiful news for us who struggle with our failures, have felt the chains of dominating sins, or who are serving prison time.
Along with pointing out very specific comforting words found in Psalm 68:6, Psalm 79:11, and Isaiah 42:7, I like to remember how Jesus made every effort to be with sinners and tax collectors. Tax collectors were despised as traitors. “Good” people would have nothing to do with them. But that didn’t keep Jesus from calling Matthew as one of His followers.
When He went to Matthew’s house for dinner, the only ones who would join were other tax collectors and sinners. And come they did! The “good” people in town were offended, demanding an explanation for why Jesus kept such company. His answer was simple: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is humbling and beautiful news for us who struggle with our failures, have felt the chains of dominating sins, or who are serving prison time.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 9:9-13
Insight
No matter how far you’ve fallen, no matter how great your sin, Jesus invites you—even warmly welcomes you!—to come to Him for mercy.
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 33-34
- Psalm 42
- Luke 6