Jesus called Matthew who responded by leaving his tax booth and following Him. The very next verse tells us that Jesus is having dinner at Matthew”™s house with a group of men who are considered “˜sinners”™ because they are tax collectors. (They worked for Rome and were despised by their fellow countrymen in Israel.) (See Matthew 9:10)

Have you invited Jesus to come to your house for dinner?

Have you invited people you know to meet Jesus in your home?

(NASB) Matthew 9:11 “When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “˜Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

My question is: why didn”™t these religious leaders approach Jesus? He was there and He was available!

One reason may be: people who assassinate the character of others do so behind their backs. Character assassination is noted today, sadly, by politicians and political parties. Character assassination attempts to advance agendas.

(NASB) Matthew 9:12 “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “˜It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”

Jesus is never taken in by underhanded methods. He is never fooled by people who are crafty and think they are getting away with something.

How did Jesus answer? People who need a doctor are sick. He had come to heal those who were sick with “˜sin”™.

(NASB) Matthew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,”™ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus took this opportunity to “˜teach”™ these religious men the meaning of true religion, the religion that pleases God. God desires compassion and

mercy toward others, with readiness to help those who are in trouble. God does not condemn people without offering a way to Himself ““ and that way is Jesus Christ. His compassion and mercy reaches out to you, have you responded to Him?

When anyone believes they are righteous without the Lord Jesus ““ be aware that that person needs Jesus. The only way to be righteous before God is to have Jesus as a personal Savior”¦we are all sinners, we all need Jesus.

If you are a believer in Jesus as your Savior, for what are you grateful?

The following is a list to get you started: Thank You Lord for:

God”™s mercy because I am a sinner.

God”™s grace because I don”™t deserve His mercy.

Jesus”™ advent on earth ““ His death on the cross ““ His resurrection from the dead ““ because I am then protected from my sins and protected from God”™s wrath when He is my Savior.

What will you add to this list?