Facing The Unchurched
What has become of the church these days? The church often stays within the confines of its tidy walls. Unwilling to move outwards towards the hurting masses of people. And hesitant to let them into the church.
It seems the church has lost its sense of purpose. The reason Jesus came to this broken world.
To heal and save the lost. To bring about a restoration meant to bring man back to him.
And yet the church seems it would rather belittle and ostracize those that need Jesus the most. The prostitutes, the drug addicts, the alcoholics.
Too often we see these people who need Christ the most, put outside of the church. Unwelcomed and uncared for.
But let's take a look at what Jesus did when he came across sinners. I think his actions were much different than today's church.
Jesus was approached by a sinful woman, most likely a prostitute in Luke 7:36-50. She approached him as he was having dinner with a Pharisee. This woman began to kiss Jesus feet and anoint them with oil.
Jesus was approached by a sinful woman, most likely a prostitute in Luke 7:36-50. She approached him as he was having dinner with a Pharisee. This woman began to kiss Jesus feet and anoint them with oil.
The Pharisee's response was much
like the church's would be today. His thoughts were: "Jesus! Don't you
know who's touching you? She's filthy. She's done evil things. You shouldn't
let her touch you."
Rather than condemn her for her
sins, Jesus said she did something none of the others present had done. She had
washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed his feet (with
such unclean lips), and perfumed his feet. And then he told her that her sins
had been forgiven.
Jesus' reaction to this woman had been one of honor as she'd taken the time to love on and worship him. She knew who he was and she didn't care who she was. She knew she needed to worship Jesus.
Today, realize that Jesus isn't for the clean. He's for the broken. The dirty. The downtrodden.
The well are already healed. The sick still need a doctor.
The next time you head to church would you be willing to invite someone that might have been unwelcomed in the church to attend with you?
Today, realize that Jesus isn't for the clean. He's for the broken. The dirty. The downtrodden.
The well are already healed. The sick still need a doctor.
The next time you head to church would you be willing to invite someone that might have been unwelcomed in the church to attend with you?
About the Author: This is a guest post by Joseph Lalonde. He is a youth leader at Oak Crest Church of God and leadership blogger at JMLalonde.com. Joseph shares leadership tools and encourages you to become a better leader. Connect with him on Twitter or at his blog.