Mark 2:15-17 (NIVUK)
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’
This story is fascinating for all sorts of reasons. The factor that interests me this week though is the way it reveals Jesus’ priorities; Jesus’ priority was growth, and he made this his main consideration in his lifestyle and relationships, focussing on those outside ‘the church’ rather than inside. It is probably worth noting that in talking about ‘sinners’, Jesus was using the language of those who were criticizing him, I’m confident that he didn’t label them this way himself, but adopting a much more compassionate and welcoming outlook.
Father, what would it mean for me to prioritise growth and reaching out to those outside the church rather than those within?
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