Jesus’ Kind of People?

Scripture Reading — Luke 5:27-32

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
— Luke 5:30

Followers of Jesus are expected to be nice, well-behaved, and untainted by the world, right? Most believers seem to think that.

But Jesus never seemed to catch on to that idea. In fact, he tended to do the opposite. He sat comfortably among people whom others avoided and disapproved of. He didn’t join them in their sin, but he enjoyed their company. In an important sense, they were his kind of people.

But we often act differently. We cluster with people who think, vote, and worship like we do. We keep a safe distance from people whose lives are different from ours—and seem to be rather complicated. On the other hand, if we try to blend in, we can tend to blur our convictions.

Imagine Jesus glancing at your calendar this month. How much time would he see you spending with “his” kind of people? Would he see you keeping your distance from them? Alternatively, might he see you blurring your convictions in order to fit in?

One day, when Jesus returns, every believer will be surrounded by people who are free of spiritual struggles. That will be a great day indeed. But that day isn’t here yet.

Look at your calendar for this month. Whom might Jesus like to arrange for you to spend time with? Are they hiding? Will you go and find them?

Jesus, help me to see others as you do. Teach me to embrace everyone you love, stepping outside my comfort zone and showing the grace you have shown to me. Amen.

Written by: Ron Vanderwell