Like a doctor sees a sick person

Posted byoakhillcrossvillePosted inUncategorized
Good morning everyone,
 
Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship”
 
Our Bible verse for today: “While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9:10-11 (CSB)
 
Our thought for today: “Like a doctor sees a sick person”
 
This morning I want to continue our thinking from yesterday regarding learning to interact with people more from the heart and not just from the head.
 
In Matthew 9:9-12, Jesus was having a meal in the home of Matthew the tax collector (the same Matthew who would later become a disciple and go on to write the Gospel of Matthew.) Matthew invited many of his friends – who included fellow tax collectors and a wide variety of assorted sinners, probably prostitutes, thieves, and maybe corrupt politicians.
 
Seeing this, the Pharisees were indignant and demanded to know why Jesus (this religious leader) was consorting with low-life sinners such as these. Jesus responded in verses 12-13 by saying, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
 
Jesus looked upon those who were broken, hurting, and spiritually unwell as a doctor looks upon a sick patient. He saw them as someone in need of care. Do we? Do we see the lost in our world as people in need of attention and care, or do we see them as our opponents, maybe even our enemies? Jesus didn’t ridicule them, shout them down, shut them out, or even shut them up. Instead, he entered into their world, interacted with them, showed them love and concern, and used that as a bridge to minister to their souls.
 
How do we see social outcasts such as the homeless, or those who are intentionally and perhaps flagrantly making choices in life that are diametrically opposed to Biblical principles? Jesus looked at them the way a doctor would look at a sick person – as someone in need of attention, care, and compassionate ministry. As His disciples shouldn’t we see them that way too?
 
God bless,
Pastor Jim
 
(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville
 
Copyright © 2023 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested to be included in the Daily Devotional email reader group.

Our mailing address is:
Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Leave a comment