Many times we judge others as they are “too bad or unworthy” to be Jesus’ followers. That is to say we Christians are more superior or better group people than those what we labelled them as “not too nice or rough” group. Retrospectively as we look back at ourselves some time ago, we are not much better than them. It is too easy pointing fingers on others.
God creates space especially for the rough, the guilt-ridden, and down-cast bunch to belong in His kingdom. This was obvious from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He made some surprising choices for His disciples. First, He chose several fishermen from Galilee—the “wrong side of the tracks” from the perspective of those in Jerusalem. He also selected a tax collector, Matthew, whose profession included extorting from his oppressed countrymen. And not only that, for good measure, Jesus invited the “other” Simon—“the Zealot”
We don’t know much about this Simon (but he isn’t Simon Peter), but we do know about the Zealots. They hated Matthew, who got rich by collaborating with the despised Romans. Yet with divine irony, Jesus chose Simon along with Matthew, brought them together, and blended them into His team.
Don’t write anyone off as too “bad” for Jesus. After all, He said, (Luke 5:32) “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He has plenty of space for the tough cases—people like you and me. Dear Father, thank You that salvation is available to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus.
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