Matthew 9:13 NKJV

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:13 NKJV

Jesus forgave the paralytic and healed him then Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, and the tax collectors to gather around Jesus for fellowship.

The religious people were upset because Jesus was not like them. Religious people are those who keep the law to prove that others are wrong and they are good.

Jesus on the other hand is showing that if we got something good in us, it is meant to be shared, to help others and to encourage one another.

The religious ones love to judge people and cast them out but Jesus loves to restore people and bring them into His family.

The act of sacrifice demands while the act of mercy gives to those who cannot afford it. Therefore, Jesus became the sacrifice for us so that mercy can restore the broken world.

Being a disciple of Christ is about restoring lives, helping people, encouraging people, healing sickness and building lives on the good that Jesus has done.

This does not mean that there is no discipline, correction or reproof in the house of God. The Bible does speak about pruning for better fruits.

What Jesus is saying is love. Reach out and save people as they are. Then coach, encourage and build them through the word of God.

No one catches a fish from the ocean that is cleaned up, gutted and scales removed. We catch just as they are and then clean, cut and prepare it.

Every person that is saved will be restored to the image of God and His likeness once they are being disciplined with the word of God.

That is why we have today the gospel of Matthew. A tax collector that has been disciplined by Jesus.

There are many who need a Father like Jesus to Matthew. The world is losing that important identity of a true heart of a father.

Let us arise to be like Jesus to the world, to save souls and disciple them for God's glory.

Blessings

Ambrose Francis