Reaching Out to the Lost

Matthew 9:10-13 “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

I read this passage in my Bible devotions this morning, and even though I have read it many times before, it really stuck out to me. How often do I choose to spend time and fellowship with other believers and do not spend any time with those that could use some friendly prodding and encouragement? While being with other believers is very important, my missions should not be to just hang out with my friends that believe the same as I do. My mission is supposed to be reaching out to the lost world. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous; He came for the ones sick in their sinful hearts. These verses got me thinking about the many times that I chose to spend time with my friends rather than reaching out to those who are struggling or younger than I am. God has laid out a mission field before us. We must take heed that we do not squander that mission. Good Christian friends are wonderful! Jesus spent a great deal of time with His disciples, but His mission was for the lost, as our mission should be. Let’s take the extra time this week to reach out to those that we might at other times overlook. They need our love and care.