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REFLECTION

Called and re-ordered is the theme for our reflection. To be called to means to be chosen or set apart for God’s mission on earth. Re-ordered means to arrange (something) again or differently. To the Pharisees, some people or categories of people are sinners and stand condemned before God. Key among such sinners or unworthy people are tax collectors. Tax collectors were seen as corrupt agents of the government who cheated people in the discharge of their duties. Certainly, some were corrupt, for instance when Zacchaeus, repented upon encountering Jesus, he confessed that “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8)

The key issue was that the Pharisees in their estimation and judgement do not see tax collectors or people they strongly perceive as sinners to be worthy of God’s forgiveness. In fact, they stand condemned! It is, for this reason, Jesus said in His parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector that “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (Luke 18:11-13)

Dear friend, in God’s economy of salvation and plan for humanity, Jesus came to save those who acknowledge themselves as sinners but are yearning to repent and be saved. God’s plan is to save, call and use us for His glory those He finds worthy through Jesus. It is for this reason, Jesus saw Matthew the tax collector and said to him “Follow me,”… and Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9). If God had left the sole prerogative of saving and calling people into His mission in the hands of the Pharisees, people like Matthew would never be found worthy, but through Jesus, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus came to save and reorder our lives. “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:10-13). According to the Pharisees, the order should have been a holy and righteous teacher should associate and dine with people like them who were more righteous than others. In other words, since the Pharisees considered themselves more righteous, Jesus should have been in their company and not in the company of sinners and a tax collector like Matthew. Conversely, God had re-order their expectation and belief, in God’s economy and plan, it is the spiritually sick people like Matthew and other sinners who need Doctor Jesus to cure them of their sins and render them worthy of God’s call and mission. No amount of sacrifice can cover up our sins and render us righteous, it is only through repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy that can save us, hence, Jesus did not come to save those who think that their religious practices render them righteous. He came to save those who acknowledge the fact they are sinners and confess with that tax collector that “‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (Luke 18:13). John further admonishes us that “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10). Dear friend, Jesus is still in the salvation business saving and calling repentant sinners to be part of God’s mission on earth but self-righteous people like the Pharisees will certainly not qualify for His call or be found worthy. Only those who humble themselves like Matthew, the tax collector, acknowledge their sins and yearn for His salvation, will be found worthy by Jesus to be called and empowered for God’s purpose. Dear friend, what kind of Christian are you? Are you a self-righteous believer who sees others as unworthy to become the children of God? Do you see yourself as sinless and others to be sinful in the Church? Let us remember that in God’s economy and plan for salvation, He has called repentant sinners and reordered the criteria for who qualifies to be saved, therefore,” all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14). Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain humble in heart and be found worthy to be called by our Lord Jesus for God’s mission and glory on earth. Amen.