Thursday February 13
Publicans and Sinners
It’s hard to imagine what our world would have been like had not sin intruded. The beauty of nature, even after millennia, still testifies to the majesty and power and goodness of God. Our sin-darkened minds can barely grasp what humanity and human relations would have been like had our world not fallen. One thing we can be sure of is that the class distinctions, prejudices, and cultural and ethnic boundaries that impact every society and culture would not exist.
Amen. Cultural diversity would not be exalted above Scripture.
Sad to say, too, it’s hardly feasible that before Christ returns these boundaries are going to vanish. On the contrary, as our world gets worse, there is no doubt that these barriers will, as well. As Christians, however, we must do what we can in every way possible to seek to transcend these barriers that have caused so much heartache and suffering and pain in our world, especially to those whom society rejects as the greatest outcasts.
Yes, we must look beyond the sick society and the hateful culture that dictates the lives of many. We must see in the "social outcast" or the highly educated arrogant what Jesus sees, what they may become through God's grace.
Read Matthew 9:9-13.
9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
9:10 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.
9:11 And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
9:12 But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
9:13 But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
In what way is the essence of true Christianity revealed here, not just in what Jesus said but in that which He did? Focus especially on His words, taken from the Old Testament: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). Especially given the context, why must we be so careful that we do not become guilty of possessing the attitude that Jesus is so powerfully condemning here-especially when we are all to some degree creatures of our particular societies, and thus influenced by the prejudices and social barriers that are inherent in every society?
Yes, we are creatures of our society. We see it in our church especially in Southern California, Western Europe, and Australia. But, in Christ we are new creatures and the heart does not want the world, but Jesus. Much of the influence of the world goes away when we are born of His Spirit. It may be that it takes awhile to realize that things like modesty in God's eyes are different from what our society sees. In Southern California, you may wear almost nothing into a store. It may take awhile for this to come home to the heart of even those who are converted. Thus, the need for Bible education to continue after conversion.
"The Pharisees beheld Christ sitting and eating with publicans and sinners. He was calm and self-possessed, kind, courteous, and friendly; and while they could not but admire the picture presented, it was so unlike their own course of action, they could not endure the sight. The haughty Pharisees exalted themselves, and disparaged those who had not been blessed with such privileges and light as they themselves had had. They hated and despised the publicans and sinners. Yet in the sight of God their guilt was the greater. Heaven’s light was flashing across their pathway, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it"; but they had spurned the gift."-Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1,088.
Amen! We are to hate the sin. We are not to participate in the sin, but we are to be in the world and loving the sinner. What is the problem then? We do not have the power to love the sinner until we are truly converted. We can pretend to love the sinner, but it is only a game that misrepresents God's Truth. When will Jesus return? We can know the answer very definitely. When God's church reveals Him. Jesus has not come back because we do not reveal Christ in character. But, we shall very soon, by His grace. Here is the promise.
36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].