Matthew 9:10-13
“Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’ When Jesus heard this, He said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.’ Then He added, ‘Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”
God eventually fulfilled His promise to bless the earth through Abraham through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived in a world of oppressive, explosive racial tension – Jew vs. Gentile vs. Romans. But Jesus consistently stepped between the oppressor and the oppressed. He went out of His way to talk with, eat with and love the outcasts of society, the powerless, the weak and He prayed that we, future believers from every race, socio-economic group, and culture, would be ONE.
Respond in Prayer
Jesus went out of His way to rescue and bless everyone and He commands us to do the same. Our divided nation needs Jesus and we, His bride, declare His name when we truly love others as He did. Pray for God to show you how to intentionally seek out relationships with people who don’t look like you or think like you. Jesus is the only one who can change hearts and a changed heart begins in relationship. See this article for 10 lessons we can learn from Jesus’ dinner table.
For Families with Kids at Home
While conversations with our kids about racial inequality and diversity are essential, they’re only the beginning. Children need to be exposed to cultures different from their own, people who look different from them, and see their parents have genuine relationship with people from other ethnic backgrounds. No matter where you are right now in your pursuit of diversifying your dinner table, pray today that God would help you take just one step in this area.