Luke 19: 10, Matt 9: 11-13

Clive Urquhart

'For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.' (Luke 19: 10)

Imagine you've never sinned, never felt guilt, pain or hurt. Imagine you've only known the peace, presence and glory of God. One day you're sent to go and live with people who have never known or experienced what you have in order to give them what you have.

When you go public you find many want to know you, they want to be with you and see what you're going to do next. They are intrigued by a person who heals the sick, who speaks simply and directly to their hearts and who loves to be with those who others don't want to be with. Yet, at the same time, they have no tolerance for religious talk without inner reality and outward action.

Then the day comes when virtually everyone turns their back on you. Denied, alone and put to death, you still give what you came to give, holding nothing back.

What love!

This love that Jesus showed is the same love we have today. It's a love that led him to do the unexpected.

The Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?'
Jesus replied, 'It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' (Matt 9: 11-13)

Jesus is saying give these guys a break, stop judging them. Instead, love them, be with them, show them something different.

Sacrifice implies an emphasis on us giving up something so that God will do something. Mercy emphasises God giving love, grace and forgiveness.

That is why Jesus came. So people could see the life He had for them. We have this life in us so we, like Jesus, can show it to the people who need it.

God is turning the church inside out. It's great to see God move in our meetings but there's a whole world out there who have never experienced what we have.

This environment, full of unsaved people, is the place to take the life God has given us. Simply being with them and meeting their practical needs opens up opportunities to pray for them and see God touch their lives.

We have had 'church for church,' now it's time to be 'church for the world'.