Mark 2:13-17
Imagine: if a holy person came to our country, who're the very last people we'd expect him/her to mingle with? Who're the people we'd expect him/her to interact with most if not all the time?
What we see happening in this portion is Christ mingling with our modern day equivalent of traitors, prostitutes, corrupt officials and probably even lawyers (ok, stupid joke), as referred to as 'sinners'. Not just visiting them to gain publicity or popularity for himself, but really interacting with them over a meal at his house all together.
Pretty much different from what we'd expect in general...and it did shock me...
The Pharisees' response: "If He's really from God, He won't fellowship with the sinners!"
But Christ came for the sinners, which means you and me, for all have sinned, and the only solution to the grave situation we're in is to turn, and trust in the gospel, which Christ came to earth to preach.
Some implications: Given our tasks as citizens of the Kingdom whilst here on earth, who're the people we interact with? Are there people whom we avoid for the wrong reasons, mainly because they're non-christian, or are living lives that are not holy enough?
PS: Just sharing my thoughts whilst thinking abt this, that's all.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
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I've found that Christians (like the heathen, unfortunately) have a tendency to avoid those who make them uncomfortable, people that get on their nerves and are particularly hard to understand and love.
I've noticed in my own situation that non-Christians who come to church are showered with friendliness, attention, and interest while some regular members of the church congregation feel lonely, isolated, and depressed. It's a discrepancy that's sad to see because we're meant to love one another (e.g. John 13:34-35), yet so often we take for granted those closest to us and ignore those who get under our skin. I've seen this sort of thing happen at Wesley (in my own cell group) and at my other home church.
Such is life, unfortunately: not fair and often disappointing.
- H.
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