POST 27: Welcoming Like Jesus
POST 27
Welcoming Like Jesus
The New Testament story of Matthew the tax collector is fascinating. Reading it through our modern lens, it’s hard to understand why it was a big deal for Jesus to call on Matthew to follow him. But think of it this way: Who is someone our society sees as a despicable person?
Someone who sells out his own people. Someone who takes advantage of the poor. Someone whose actions are shockingly bad.
Back then, that someone was Matthew.
Tax collectors in biblical times were the worst kind of people. They were Jews who worked with the Roman government against their own community. They stole money and cared more about financial gain than anything else. They were distrusted by the other Jewish people and were not welcome in the temple, synagogues, or others’ homes.
You would not want to make room at your table for these guys.
Jesus, however, saw something different in Matthew. Jesus saw Matthew’s need for restoration and welcomed him to join in on the caravan of redemption.
God’s Family Is for Everyone
Matthew’s need for restoration is the same need that lives in us all. When Jesus was questioned about hanging out with Matthew, Jesus responded, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to call righteous people but sinners to change their hearts and lives” (Luke 5:31–32).
When Jesus looked at Matthew, he saw Matthew’s sin not as a reason to stay away from him but as a reason to draw closer. That’s how Jesus views all people. It’s how Jesus views you.
What if we viewed people the same way Jesus did? What if we looked at people with compassion, love, and grace? Would we be welcoming too? Would we expand the circle to make room?
God’s desire is for all people to be welcomed into God’s family—and we’re the ones doing the welcoming. We don’t have to draw lines in the sand. We can look at people who are hated, forgotten, or marginalized by society and create a space of healing and restoration for them. We can, like Jesus, hang out in their homes and talk over dinner. We can share the hope of the gospel with them.
We can demonstrate that everyone has a place in God’s family. Everyone belongs.
READING GOD’S WORD
As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. (Matthew 9:9–10)
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Journaling Questions
When Jesus says it is the sick who need a doctor, what does he mean?
Who is hard for you to love or welcome?
What can you do this week to take a step toward welcoming that person in the way Jesus calls us to welcome?
Pray This Prayer
God, you desire for all to be welcomed into your family, including me. As I embrace this reality, help me also to embrace those around me and welcome them in. May I be a reflection of your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Look around at your school or neighborhood. Can you identify one person who may not feel welcome? Take one step toward them this week—say hi, learn their name, stop to talk, maybe even invite them to lunch or to hang out after school. Get to know them and allow them to get to know you.
THE TAKEAWAY
Jesus always wants us to expand the circle, to make room at the table for more—even those who don’t seem like they deserve it.