Daily Devotion, March 11, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 9:9-13.

Having a “holier than thou” attitude and having been frightened to my core as a child watching “The Wizard of Oz”, the Christmas gift ticket to see a musical titled “Wicked” was not at first, well received. “Wicked” tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (the Good Witch). 

The Pharisees with their “holier than thou” attitude were not pleased at all that Jesus welcomed and ate with tax collectors and sinners. They were blind to Jesus’ compassion and his power to forgive sins. Their focus was on keeping the rules and maintaining their own righteousness and purity. 

 

Jesus meets and calls Matthew, a most unlikely future disciple to “follow him” and to be a part of his inner circle. Matthew was a tax collector who was considered a social outcast of biblical times. 

 

There is so much grace throughout Matthew 9! First, Jesus has the power and compassion to heal and forgive sins! Yes, even our sins! Second, Jesus calls a most unlikely person to be one of his disciples! Yes, Jesus has called us to be disciples as well! Third, we are also called to go forth into the world with eyes and hearts of compassion to invite others into life with Christ.

Perhaps we feel as if we are today’s social outcasts. Jesus doesn’t see us that way. Jesus' invitation is for all of us! Perhaps Jesus is calling us to serve an unlikely people group who feel they are today’s social outcasts. 

 

Perhaps there are lessons we can learn from the lyrics of “For Good” the last song in the musical, “Wicked”.  “I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return…..because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

Personal Worship Option:

How has your life with Christ changed you? Who has been an unlikely friend along the way in your journey with Christ, who has changed you “for good”? Thank God throughout the day for this person and ask God to open your eyes to have compassion for all people.