COMMON PEOPLE
Matthew 4:18-25
Vs. 23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
Matthew 4:18-25
Vs. 23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
We judge, often looking down on other people. We tend to give thanks when we see people who are worse off than ourselves. After all, we, as believers in Jesus Christ, know that we are chosen by God, saved, and set apart for His purposes.
Despite knowing that we’re secure in these blessings, (which non believers cannot acquire), we need to acknowledge that Jesus came and died for all people.
The people of the Bible were ordinary folks. Jesus grew up in the home of a laborer. His ministry was announced by a weather-worn man of the wilderness named John the Baptizer.
He chose men as disciples who were fishermen, common people, and one tax collector. (Luke 3, 5).
Jesus lived, loved, and died for these people. He befriended those who were demon-possessed, lepers, and despised tax collectors. He showed us that no one is too poor, too insignificant, or too sinful to be His friend.
As our love and loyalty grows for Christ, our spiritual discernment matures razor-sharp. As children of the Living God, we look past physical appearances and circumstances, and embrace others as God sees them.
We thank God for the privilege of being His children, and heirs to the kingdom. For Him, we reach out in love to our brothers and sisters in the world. God loves everyone He created, and Jesus died for us all. He is a friend to royalty and commoners alike.
Take Home Nugget
A 16th century Italian painter named Caravaggio received scathing criticism for depicting people in the Bible as ordinarily common in his art. His contemporaries, along with church leaders, were offended that he depicted the people who surrounded Jesus as everyday folks. None were beautiful, none had physical attributes that were distinctive. No one in his art deserved immortality.
But Caravaggio was copying Christ, who took Matthew off the street and made him an apostle.
Imagine this dinner party: Jesus sat down to dinner with Matthew, surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. (Matthew 9:10-11). Oh my!
Imagine this dinner party: Jesus sat down to dinner with Matthew, surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. (Matthew 9:10-11). Oh my!
J.D. Griffith
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Sciven
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