(This is Nathan’s mom. Nathan has been busy preparing for the brand-new season of James Fickle, visiting churches and singing for them, and much more. He is also helping his grandparents. So I am sharing what is on my heart. I hope it resonates deeply with you…)
Today I want to share something that has been heavy on my heart. Let’s take a look at Mark chapter 2, verses 15 – 17:
15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus Walked Among the People
Jesus was a people person. He was an ordinary man, a carpenter. He was real. He was someone people felt comfortable around, a confidant, someone they could open up to. He wasn’t stuck up. He didn’t have a “holier than thou” attitude. He didn’t boast or set himself apart from the crowd. Oh, he was different, yes. Absolutely. He was special. Amen. But he mingled among the world. He loved them. He accepted them for who they were. He showed them kindness. He taught them. He spent time with them.
Yes, Jesus sat with the sinners. Some folks don’t believe that. But it is in the word of God. We just read it.
Jesus was soft-spoken. He was gentle and loving. He was unique and intriguing. He was a rare gem of a soul who gave his all everywhere he went – until the very end.
Luke 15:1-2 says:
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Just as we are judged today for having a heart and compassion toward the sinners and wanting to shine our light in their lives, Jesus was judged also!
Jesus Was NOT Racist
He looked in to people’s hearts and souls. His eyes didn’t stop at their race or color – they went far beyond!
John 4:4-42 shows this clearly. Remember the woman at the well? We talked about her before.
And what about 1 John 4:20-21:
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
How, exactly, can you claim to love God – yet you have prejudice in your heart? These feelings can’t dwell in a pure, clean heart who surrenders all to God!
Jesus Died for SINNERS
Somewhere along the way, the church world has lost sight of who Jesus died for – and why. Sadly, many people are under the impression that serving God consists of sitting on a church pew – all prim and proper! – every single time the doors are opened.
What about the lost? What about Mark 2:17 where Jesus says he came NOT to call the righteous – but the SINNER- to repentance?
Romans chapter 5 verses 6-8 says:
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus Wants Us to Spread the Gospel!
Jesus didn’t shed his blood on Calvary so that we could sit on a church pew and die, while hiding our light under a bushel, people!
There is a lost and dying world out there. People are hurting. They are scared. They are angry. They are ashamed. They are desperate. They are lonely. The are hopeless. They are searching for hope, for answers, for a brighter tomorrow. We have the answer, people: JESUS!
If we don’t shine our light in this dark world, if we don’t take the gospel to the street, how are we going to win souls for God’s kingdom? How do we expect to see people saved and lives changed?
Mark 16:15 says:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke 14:23 says:
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
The message here today is that Jesus didn’t come in to this world and die for our sins so that we can be holier than thou and avoid the sinners. Serving God isn’t about expensive church clothes and going out to eat after Sunday School.
Serving God is about letting the SON shine through us brighter each day so that we can shed light and hope in this dark and dying world, so that we can spread the message of salvation to the lost, so that we can make a difference.
We must see through our Father’s eyes and love through our Father’s heart.
It is my greatest heart’s desire to accomplish all of these things each and every day. And I am so honored that Nathan is so full of love for people from all walks of life as he sings and ministers to our hurting world each and every day.
Do you love all people? Do you shine your light? You and I may be the only Bible some people ever read. Will they read a message of love, hope, and salvation – or will they close your book and never re-open it?
This is the real deal, folks: Love or Hate? Shining Light or Darkness? Heaven or Hell?
