All Who Are Weary
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” - Matthew 9:9-13
This is one of many examples of Jesus spending time with what the world considered sinners. He spent not just time but quality time with liars, cheaters, prostitutes, murderers, rich, poor and so on. There are accounts of Jesus gathering with all types of people.
Matthew goes on to write in chapter eleven that Jesus says He’s been called a friend of tax collectors and sinners. This tells me that when The Word says come to me all who are weary (Matt. 11:28) it literally means all. No one is excluded. There are no prejudices with The Father.
These scriptures show me that God’s love is unconditional. There is no criteria to His forgiveness of our sins. Jesus comes to us with open arms. He wants us to sit at His table and be in relationship with Him no matter who we are or what we’ve done.
JOURNAL: Is there something in your life that you believe is unforgivable? Ask God what He says about it and write it down so you can go back to His words when doubt creeps in.
ACTIVATION: Read 1 John 1:9
PRAYER: Thank You. Lord, for being my friend. Thank You for making it easy to come to You and for providing rest at no cost to me because Your Son already paid the ultimate price. Lord, help my friends, reading this right now, know they are loved, seen, and forgiven.
This is one of many examples of Jesus spending time with what the world considered sinners. He spent not just time but quality time with liars, cheaters, prostitutes, murderers, rich, poor and so on. There are accounts of Jesus gathering with all types of people.
Matthew goes on to write in chapter eleven that Jesus says He’s been called a friend of tax collectors and sinners. This tells me that when The Word says come to me all who are weary (Matt. 11:28) it literally means all. No one is excluded. There are no prejudices with The Father.
These scriptures show me that God’s love is unconditional. There is no criteria to His forgiveness of our sins. Jesus comes to us with open arms. He wants us to sit at His table and be in relationship with Him no matter who we are or what we’ve done.
JOURNAL: Is there something in your life that you believe is unforgivable? Ask God what He says about it and write it down so you can go back to His words when doubt creeps in.
ACTIVATION: Read 1 John 1:9
PRAYER: Thank You. Lord, for being my friend. Thank You for making it easy to come to You and for providing rest at no cost to me because Your Son already paid the ultimate price. Lord, help my friends, reading this right now, know they are loved, seen, and forgiven.
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