Devotionals

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9

Jesus told Matthew the tax collector to “follow Me,” and Matthew arose and followed Him. He dropped everything and went with Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to know why Jesus sat with the tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answered by saying, “they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth. I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:  for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

In this specific passage, the word righteous is describing someone who sees himself as right in all their ways. Therefore, the word righteous here refers to a self-righteous person. God does not want to waste His time on the self-righteous. He wants to spend quality time on calling sinners to repentance. Is that not what this life is all about- helping sinners find Christ as their personal savior? 

Society teaches us that “It’s all about me!”  However, God’s Word teaches us that we should be genuinely devoted to Him, showing His love toward others. Our focus should be on Christ and what we can do to help others, not on worldly accomplishments. Our hearts and actions should be devoted to God.

God is looking for more “Matthews” and less “Pharisees.”  Matthew followed Jesus without hesitation. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for sitting among the tax collectors and sinners.  We need to have the heart of Matthew. Our hearts and actions should be devoted to God.

Do you find yourself being more like Matthew the tax collector, humble and eager to follow Jesus?  Or, are you like the Pharisees, self-righteous in all your ways?

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• Posted by: Brooke Cason