What if you knew for certain what Jesus wanted?

What if knowing what Jesus wants from us isn't as hard as it may seem?

One time Jesus is at a dinner.... well more like a banquet, or maybe wedding reception. Huge spread of food, lots of people milling around. Music playing in the background. A lot of laughter.  He's meeting people, people asking Him questions. Off in the corner is a private conversation with a couple of his followers. They're not quite sure what to make of the situation. See they're not the best of the bunch, but they know good Jewish boys don't belong here.

Before long a couple of the religious folks happen by and they too are puzzled. See Jesus is at the home of Matthew, and he's one rotten scumbag of a guy. Thief. Liar. Traitor. Matthew didn't hang out with the common folk. He didn't go to church on Saturday. He missed the family get togethers.

​But here, he's got his other tax friends and Jesus. Why is Jesus here? That's what the religious folks want to know? Does he even have a clue who these people are?

And Jesus responds, "I See with the eyes of a doctor, you see through the eyes of a judge. Go back to school, reread your Old Testament Scrolls and try and get what it meant when God said he's more interested in our showing mercy than judgement"

What does it mean for us to be people of mercy? Basically mercy involves the actions of compassion and kindness we show others in the name of Christ. Because we are people of the King, we act in ways that point people to the King. Because we have received Mercy, we give it out.

Sort of like a garden hose. The hose isn't the source of the water. The water comes from an unlimited supply elsewhere. The hose simply acts as the means to get the water from the source to the dry and thirsty people who need it.

Jesus calls you and I to be dispensers of Mercy. Kindness. Compassion. To dry and thirsty people. He is the source of it. In a broken, battered world I pray you and I have the eyes of doctors and nurses, not of judge and jury.

See you Sunday, friend.

Pastor Mike

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