Matthew 9:9-13                                                Overcoming Prejudice in Relationships

Kowloon International Baptist Church Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor                                                                    17 September 2006

The good news Jesus brings is meant for all people, without regard to their place in life. When we discover Matthew in a tax collector’s booth we meet one of Capernaum’s despised men. He worked for his country’s conquerors and made good money at the expense of his own people. The people looked down on tax collectors with the same disdain they did on prostitutes. However, Jesus opened the door to the kingdom of God for those who are willing to turn from their selfish ways and submit to Him (Matthew 21:32)

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners?’”

On hearing this Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

anMatthew 9:9-13

1. Act out of who you are in Christ.

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Matthew had probably heard Jesus speak before. Jesus’ words led him to evaluate life from a different perspective. Jesus saw through people’s prejudices to the possibilities within people. He didn’t attempt to change to get people to like him. He called people to the challenge of following him at significant cost.

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26

2. Accept divine appointments.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. Matthew 9:10

Jesus knew the difference between listening to people and giving up who he was in an attempt win their approval. He never compromised who he was.

Jesus spent time with those who were most conscious of their sin, not from curiosity regarding their sin or for appearances’ sake, but to help them rise above their sin.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5

3. Aim to join God in sharing hope.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners?’” On hearing this Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13

Cultures create classes.

Jesus went where the need was the greatest. He offered to help those who recognized their need for help. Luke 18:18-23; Luke 18:9-13

Even God will not fill a cup that is already full. If you are full of yourself, how can you make room for others in your heart? If you are full of yourself, how can you make room for God in your heart?

The New International Version is the translation used in today’s message.