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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International. |
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To Whom Did Jesus Come?
“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.”1 R.C. Buckner, a big, bold, and brash man, lived
about 100 years ago in Texas. This imposing figure had a very tender heart for
children, starting Buckner's Children's Homes across the state. The children
affectionately called him "Papa Buckner" and would run up to him
every time he visited. He would always take the time to pick up each child and
give them a hug.
One day he was visiting one of the homes and was hugging all the
children gathered around him when he noticed a little girl who was standing
with her face against the wall. He discovered that she had been seriously
burned in an accident and had a terrible scar on her face. He went over to her
and asked, "Sweetheart, don't you want Papa Buckner to hug you?"
Without turning around, she snarled, "No, I'm too
ugly."
Papa Buckner knelt, picked her up in his burly arms, turned her
face gently toward his, looked right into her eyes and then planted a tender
kiss right on the burned portion of her face. After he kissed her, he said,
"Sweetheart, you are beautiful to me, and you are beautiful to God."2 This is such a beautiful illustration of what Christ has done for
each of us. From the moment he was born to the moment he was crucified; he
always did the unexpected. The Pharisees expected him to be highly intellectual
and be like them, but Jesus came to break that mold and be an active example of
love, mercy, compassion, justice, and humility. While the religious leaders “knew
a lot”, Jesus DID a lot. He went to the broken, lost, and messy people. He
sought out the sick people who were looking for love, truth, and forgiveness.
He gave hope to the hopeless. Friends, God doesn’t expect you to be perfect. He created us and knew
that, because of sin, we are flawed and will make mistakes. He wants us to be honest
with him and with ourselves, accept his forgiveness, and run into his loving
arms. You are beautiful to God. You matter to him and he cares. No matter how
broken we may feel, it is never too much for Jesus to heal. This is the truth
he wants us to see, accept, and share with others. Jesus came to pay the price
that we could never pay, so that we could experience the joy and love of a
meaningful and personal relationship with Him. Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for looking on me with eyes
of compassion and love. Despite my flaws, you invite me to come to you. I pray
that you would give me the same love and compassion for others. That I would
not be quick to judge, but instead see others through your lens. Not only do I
want to know your Word, but I want to do your Word. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.” Matthew 9:10-13 (NLT). |
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