Central Truth

We are of no less importance than the next person. God loves us no matter how much we have run in the opposite direction because His love is unconditional. His compassion should overflow in our lives to where we approach others in need with equal love and gentleness.

Reflections

Tax collectors in biblical times were considered to be the lowest of the low of the community. Disgusted by their cheating ways, people would avoid them at all costs. The Pharisees showed no shame in judging them by declaring the faults of the tax collectors, but also with the motives to put themselves in a higher and more respected position. Jesus, however, refers to the Pharisees as hypocrites over 10 times in Matthew 23, revealing that no man is better than the other!

Jesus, the epitome of holiness and reverence among the people, didn't even have to step out of His comfort zone. It was natural instinct for Him to reach out to those who needed love. He even ate dinner with them, which was a sign of fellowship and an establishment of trust in Jesus' day. The Pharisees, regarded as the highest of religious teachers, would not even dare be seen with such a sinner because of their obsessive selfishness.

How often do we judge others? I'll be the first to say that it's definitely more than it should be. Without even realizing, we judge instantly based on appearance. In the back of our minds, we convince ourselves we are better because we don't do that or we have better standards, etc. We get so caught up in ourselves that we fail to have compassion on someone who may be struggling immensely. The thought of even talking to them bothers us because we fear our reputation might be tainted as a result of "guilt by association."

"ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . ." (Romans 3:23) (emphasis added). You are not higher than another, for ALL have sinned. Those times you feel ashamed and unwanted, but still craving compassion and kindness you know you do not deserve, should serve to remind you that others also desire love as much as you. Most of the time, those suffering do not visibly convey a state of misery, so who are we to judge someone by what we see or hear? (Matthew 7:5) Let grace be fully expressed.

Discussion Questions

1. Think of someone who does not have a friend to confide in or is overlooked because of seeming insignificance or a bad reputation. How can you reach out to them?

2. Do your actions match up with Jesus' shocking gesture towards the "lowest of the low?" (1 John 3:18)

3. What will it take for you to overcome your selfish ambitions and what others think of you to become selflessly transformed?

4. Have you made yourself available so that God may use and speak through you? (Notice I said through. You cannot do it on your own.)

5. Do you worry about your reputation more than you worry about showing compassion to others?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 6-10 (JANUARY 9-13)

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

What is worry? What do you worry about?
What does God say about worry in these verses?
What things in nature does God tell us He takes care of?
How does He take care of them?
How does God take care of you?

Activity: Make tissue paper flowers. Go to this link and watch the video for directions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNeVq2RxFU&feature=related
(Note: use a pipe cleaner instead of string to make a stem.)

Once you have completed your flowers. Cut out green leaves and write verse 34 on each leaf. Put these flowers where they will remind you that God will take care of you just like He takes care of the flowers.