Session 32

You don’t have to clean up first

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

Jesus was known for pushing the boundaries of what people of his time would have deemed socially acceptable. He went places other religious people wouldn’t go. He talked to people other religious people would never speak to. He was after relationships rather than rule following.

In Mark 2, Jesus had dinner with a group of tax collectors and sinners. When the religious teachers saw this, they immediately questioned Jesus’ motives. They didn’t understand why He would allow himself to be seen with such a motley crew. When Jesus heard their questions, He replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

Jesus knew that those who were self-righteous, like the religious rule followers who questioned Him, didn’t see their need for a Savior. But sinners, like those He ate dinner with, did. Sinners are exactly who Jesus came to save, and we all fall into that category. Jesus went to Levi’s house for dinner, meeting tax collectors and sinners in their comfort zones. They didn’t have to clean up for Him, follow a set of rules or change who they were to meet Jesus. The same goes for us today. Jesus doesn’t ask us to be perfect before we can know Him. He is always willing to meet us in the middle of our mess. 

Reflect:

• Are you allowing a “mess” in your life to keep you from knowing Jesus? What can you do today to let go of your mess and know that Jesus is ready to meet with you just as you are?
• What are you doing to reach people who are in the middle of a mess or hard time? How can you show Jesus to those around you who desperately need Him?