Good People are NOT Invited

S - “Once again, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee. A large crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.  As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" So he got up and went with Jesus.  Later, Jesus and his followers were having dinner at the Levi's house. Many tax collectors and other sinners had become followers of Jesus, and they were also guests at the dinner.  Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses, Religious Experts, saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors. So they asked his followers, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”” Mark 2 TS

O - How should the twelve feel about Jesus' answer to the question about his dinner companions?  They had been invited to follow Jesus too.  If he is only inviting sinners to follow what does that say about the men who left everything to do just that?  Apparently, he lumps them in with the tax collectors and other notorious sinners of the day. According to Jesus no one is good enough but everyone is bad enough to be invited. "You must obey God's commands better than the Religious Experts and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don't, I promise you will never get into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5 TS   

A -  Jesus is forever the friend of sinners.  It makes the religiously righteous mad and all of heaven happy. He himself is the only righteousness heaven accepts and those who seek to establish their own never really do.  Unlike religion, Jesus never demands perfection, he brings it to everyone who will simply put their confidence in him. "Follow me and I will make you …" is his invitation and the dynamic which is working to this very day. I accept Jesus' assessment and invitation … this sinner is saying yes day by day.  I'll follow and let him do the making!

P -  Friend of sinners and friend of me,

Thank you for always wanting us, not only at our best but particularly at our worst. Am so very grateful to be loved by you only because you love us.  You don't even love us so that we will love you back; but you want us to love you back.  You love us unconditionally.  You love us because you love us! Your invitation to follow YOU (not a plan, promise or principle) is so amazing.  I will follow and welcome all the making that is in your heart to do. 

I do love you back,
Steve