Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. Verse 10And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. Verse 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Verse 12But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Verse 13Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
Verse 18While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." Verse 19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Verse 20Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, Verse 21for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." Verse 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. Verse 23When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, Verse 24he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. Verse 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. Verse 26And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Devotion
The first half of the gospel reading is a source of great comfort to me, when I sometimes experience the church as a place of exclusivity, seeming to want to decide who is in and who is out. In Matthew 9:9-13, Jesus calls Matthew as he sits at his tax booth and later sits with this tax collector and many other tax collectors and “sinners” to share a meal. While others question Jesus’ choice in dinner company and discipleship, Jesus knows exactly what he’s doing. Jesus knows exactly who he is here for. He is not here for those who use scripture and the law to secure righteousness for themselves, but for those who admit that they don’t know where to even begin or if they should begin at all.
Jesus is not waiting for us to become worthy, well-studied and perfectly religious. Jesus meets us where we are, just as we are. In mercy God invites us all to trust that we are not called because we are ready but because in Jesus God’s salvation comes near.
Prayer
Inclusive God, we thank you for daily reminding us of the ways we belong to you even when the world tries to tell us otherwise. You choose us in our imperfections and with our rough edges. May we use your example of love to embrace all of our siblings in Christ. Amen.
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