Matthew 9:10-12 KJV
(10)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
(11)  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
(12)  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

It’s so wonderful how Jesus’ holiness and perfection didn’t keep Him from those He came to save. While He was part of the temple elite who normally separated themselves from the riff raff, the ‘ungodly’ and the ‘unacceptable’, there was something about Jesus that drew those to Him who may have never or rarely set foot in a place of worship. Instead of repelling them with a judgmental air, there must have been an incredible acceptance and understanding felt from Him by those who were used to rejection and condemnation.

Associations are so important, and you’ll be known by those with whom you choose to associate. This is such an essential understanding, especially for children today. If there is a choice to hang out with those who despise school, watch bad movies, and use profane language, that will be how they are known, and that will also eventually be who they are. This was surely a part of the difficulty the religious critics were having with Jesus. If He was such a great leader, how could He allow His identity to be tainted by those from the other side of the tracks? How could He compromise His holiness and religious perfection by the uncleanness of worldly associations?

While it was unavoidable for Jesus to be noticed for His hanging out with the publicans and sinners, there was, however, another association taking place. For each one of those condemned sinners who were bound in a self image of failure and bondage to sin, their lives were given a whole new perspective after having sat down to eat with the Master. Association in reverse was lifting them from a lifelong label of evil to one of righteousness and acceptance. After all, the Master, Jesus Himself had allowed them to sit right down next to Him and talk to Him as if they were someone of significance. He, in the power of His own identity was allowing them to be associated with His goodness rather than being lowered to their badness.

In the world that will surround us today there is a need among those who may have avoided places of worship. They are in great need of a new association with the Great Physician. Rather than rejection and a cold shoulder, they require a place at the table and a loving voice of acceptance. Rather than imposing their badness through this interaction, there is a desire for an association change of theirs for His. This will require a great assurance of who we are and the true purpose of Jesus in us. There will be brushes with the ‘unclean’, but each and every one of them are looking for an opportunity to be associated with who we are in Christ. If they are truly condemned and living as sinners, their only real hope is an association change and that will only come by hanging out with who you are as an uncompromising but incredibly accepting and loving member of the body of Christ.

Worship is more than a song and a temple identity. It is fulfilling the Father’s heart purpose in touching those who may have been formerly untouchable with the loving balm that will heal and transform their lives.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 6:07 am and is filed under Accepted, Confidence, Encouragement, Judgment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.