“I’m after mercy, not religion. I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” ~Jesus

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Heal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Love, Matthew 9, Mercy, Miracle, Religious, Religious Elites, Sick

God’s mercy

Jesus, the Messiah and God’s son can do anything he wants. Jesus has been giving all power and authority from his Father. For religious leaders who want to control what is going on, that is a threat.

God’s goal for us not to be religious. Jesus challenges to focus on love and love’s brother mercy. Are we caught up in who has made the biggest mess out of their life or are we showing God’s mercy in forgiving everything.

Jesus want to forgive us and he wants to heal us. Jesus wants to make us whole.

Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus’ hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, “Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins.” Some elite religion scholars whispered, “Why, that’s blasphemy!”

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, “Get up. Take your bed and go home.” And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.

 Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

Matthew 9:1-13