Religious Gripers

February 21

(Luke 5:30 NIV) ““But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?””

(1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV) ““I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- {10} not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. {11} But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. {12} What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? {13} God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV)  "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst."

After Levi decided to follow Jesus, the tax collector turned disciple threw a big party and invited all his friends. The place was packed with sinners, all having a good time until the religious crowd showed up. They didn’t come to celebrate -- they came to criticize. They came to look down their noses at the rabble, and to do what many church people are still known for today: gripe and complain. They didn’t think someone who claimed to be a prophet of God should be associating with tax collectors and sinners. They were above that, and thought Jesus should be too. Surely the real Messiah would not associate with a crowd like this. The church today still has its share of Pharisees who excel at griping and feeling superior. Don’t be found among them. Never forget that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to “save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” And so are you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Leaving Everything Behind

February 20

(Luke 5:28 NIV) “… and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

(Luke 5:11 NIV) “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

(Luke 14:33 NIV) “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Salvation is the gift of God -- it comes by grace through faith. We cannot buy it, but being a disciple will cost you everything you have. Peter, James, John, and Andrew left their fishing business to follow Jesus. Now Levi (Matthew) leaves his lucrative tax table behind to become a disciple. These men left everything to follow the Lord. The call has not changed. Jesus is still calling disciples. He still calls us to leave everything behind and follow Him. What are you clinging to that holds you back? It can be something good, or it can be something bad. Perhaps it is a lifestyle, a lover, a habit, or a job. Whatever it is, you must surrender it. If you refuse to give it up, you cannot be His disciple. Jesus calls us to become someone new… someone different. Will you respond like Levi did, or will you make excuses? What will your answer be? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Outcasts Invited

February 19

(Luke 5:27-29,31-32 NIV) “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me", Jesus said to him, {28} and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. {29} Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them… {31} Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. {32} I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”

Jesus likely shocked His disciples when He invited Levi (Matthew) the tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors were despised. They worked for the occupying Romans. They made their living by charging more than required and keeping the extra for themselves. This made them both “traitors” and “gangsters”, extorting money from fellow Jews and sharing it with an enemy. They were outcasts, and considered “the scum of the earth” in Israel. But Jesus calls this outcast (who would later write the first gospel in the New Testament) and Matthew gets up, leaves everything behind, and follows Jesus. Levi then did something else. He invited all his outcast friends to his home for a “Meet Jesus” party. Jesus came for the outcasts of this world: tax collectors, thieves, harlots, liars, drunks, and addicts. He came for the worst of sinners. That means He came for you and me. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

Broken Rules or Broken People

February 18

(Luke 5:20-26 NIV) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." {21} The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" {22} Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? {23} Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? {24} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." {25} Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. {26} Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today.””

(Mark 11:15-18 NIV)  "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, {16} and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. {17} And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" {18} The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."

The Pharisees were the fundamentalists of their day. They loved rules and had all the answers. Jesus made their enemies list when He forgave the paralytic’s sins. Only God can forgive sin. Knowing their hearts, Jesus upped the ante by healing both the man’s body and soul. Christ does not need our permission to declare a man forgiven. In fact, our opinion is irrelevant. From where we sit, some look as guilty as sin. Then Jesus comes to us and says: "Excuse me, but you’re sitting in my seat.” We must then get up, step down, and join those we’ve been declaring deficient. The Pharisees weren’t about to do that. They had become way too comfortable with sitting in the judgment seat. Maybe you have too. Any Christian or church can catch the Pharisee virus. Repent and seek healing. God forbid we live our lives being more concerned about broken rules than about broken people. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day