Why Jesus Came, part 3

The Caller

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. __Luke 5:32__

Okay, I’m a little biased towards this reason. I think this seems to encompass all other reasons that Jesus gives for his Advent. I’m biased because this needs to be the Church’s mission: to be a “doctor” for the “sick.” Too often our message of repentance, i.e., God’s ways and rhythms for a fully human life, is nothing for than hate-filled posturing and politicized messages that further widen the gap between the healing salve of the Church and the gaping wounds of the world. Jesus understood (duh!) that his mission was for those who needed it because they had no other recourse. Too may churches (and I can speak from personal experience here) spend an inordinate amount of time reaching out to the affluent who have little felt need for Jesus. They have all that they need in life; there is no room for Jesus. Or, perhaps even worse, Jesus is simply an accessory, a fad, a part of their life portfolio, something to be cast aside when He becomes offensive or troublesome (as He inevitably does). The Gospel finds its greatest acceptance among the marginalized, cast-out and cast-down of society. They have a felt need; they have no other recourse. Jesus knew where his message and his life would have the greatest reception. He is very much the Savior of the World, but in a very real way he is the Messiah of the outcast, the spiritually sick. 

Jesus came to call the worst of us to a better way. 

shalom, matt