“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” ⎯ Matthew 9:12
What would you say about a doctor whose office was only open to those who were feeling awesome? “No sick people allowed,” the sign on the front door might say. What kind of reputation would this doctor have? Not a very good one, right? Especially among those who were sick . . .
Now, compare this to the way some Christians act. Don’t some Christians approach the lost and the needy the same way?
“Yikes! Sick people!”
If you didn’t know better, you might think that Jesus’ mission was for Christians to form close-knit social groups that keep out those people who are different than them. Kind of like a doctor’s office where no sick people are allowed.
The good news? There are a ton of Christ-followers who don’t see the world this way at all. Maybe you’re one of them. Most Christ-followers seek out the lost, the outcast, the sad, the lonely . . . the people who most need to hear and experience the love of God. Most Christ-followers are like the doctor who looks for the sickest people, those most unable to take care of themselves and most in need of a cure.
That’s your challenge. Look for those people who are the most in need of Jesus’ love. And be the one who shows it to them.