Before judging other’s lifestyle in accordance to their beliefs, take a look into your own. Perhaps you’ll see something that wasn’t there before. Cheers!
The question should have come as no surprise. After all, we were hosting a Church gathering at our home. As my wife and I were putting the finishing touches on dinner and I was finishing my beer, the doorbell rang. It must have been someone without kids, ’cause who in the world gets anywhere five minutes early on a weekend!?
Not giving a second thought to the twelve ounce bottle in my hand, I answered the door and welcomed our guests. The quick glance from our arriving company to my left hand and the curious smile I received was very telling of the thoughts racing through their head. Nevertheless, I invited them in and asked if I could get them anything to drink.
I can’t quote the question verbatim, but it went something like, “If Jesus were at the front door, and you answered with a beer in your hand, what would you have done?”
Without a second thought I replied, “Well, I’d invite him in and offer himself something to drink. It would be rude if I didn’t. We have water, soda, beer, or milk. What can I get you?”
Jesus seems like a dark beer kinda guy. Which is good, because that’s all I’d have to offer him most of the time. Maybe He’s strictly a wine guy, which is cool because I’ve got him covered with a glass of water.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Jesus did show up at my door. Not because I’m a righteous man and he wants to give me a hug and tell me how great I am. The truth is, He hung out with sinners. He went to their homes for dinner and reclined at their tables. When the religious leaders of His time questioned Him, the replies were often sarcastic yet matter of fact.
In Mark we read of a story where the teachers of the law (they were the religious leaders called the Pharisees) asked why Jesus was hanging out and eating with sinners. They were trying to call Him out by saying that the Son of God is above that and if He were truly the Messiah he would not be caught with such people. Jesus’ response to the Pharisees is awesome.
Mark 2:17 says, “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.‘”
Like the twelve disciples, who were also horribly sinful men, this is the Jesus that I choose to follow. I am sick in need of a doctor. I am sinful in need of a savior.
I know, you’re right, I am a hypocrite. I’ve made bad choices, been selfish, and unfaithful. I’ve been critical, unkind, unthoughtful, and at times boasted in my own righteousness. All these things and I say that I’m a Christian. Oh, and let’s not forget I also drink beer!
There’s a big difference between religion and faith. The Pharisees that were mentioned earlier were religious. They were also intolerant. Many people today still believe that religious people are intolerant. Many people would be correct.
People of faith are much like the disciples. Each of them were sinners in their own right. Some denied Christ. Another doubted. But all continued to follow the teachings of Jesus.
Being a man of faith, I too, will follow the teachings of Jesus. It is my desire to become more compassionate, merciful, graceful, giving, and ultimately loving and inclusive of other sinners. My sin is no less than any others, and it is my hope that others see through my hypocrisy to the heart of the man I am.
So, I invite you to come in and have a seat. Can I offer you something to drink? We have water, soda, beer, or milk.
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Originally posted on ReWriting Dad
Photo: lindsey gee/Flickr
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