Rejoice in the Lord Jesus - Part 536

Jesus loves you! Once a person accepts Jesus into their heart, their life begins to change. This personal peace comes from recognizing -- without a doubt -- that the same God of the universe -- the God who holds the heavens in His hands, cares so much more about you and I. Now there is a message to take hold of for this day. A reason to rejoice cradled in Jesus' love. Cradled in His grace and His never ending mercy. Why? Because this is the day that the Lord hath made!


In Matthew chapter 9, we read about Jesus at dinner with "many publicans and sinners" who had come to see Him. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" These were the lost of the world in the Pharisee's eyes. The people who didn't rate within the social fabric of society. Men and women who had nothing good to offer -- sinners -- as the Pharisees referred to them. 

But when Jesus heard this, He said unto the Pharisees. "They that be whole need not a physician but they that are sick. 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." 

Think about this for a moment. The same God who created the universe -- the same God who created you and I and knew us even before we were formed in the womb -- wants to know us personally. And He told the naysayers, the elites, the Pharisees in this example -- who readily sit in judgement of the less fortunate - to go figure out what it means to be whole. Imagine the joy the sinners sitting with Jesus must have felt. Confident that "my Lord and my God" as Thomas said of Jesus, loved them too.

Take hold of Jesus today for He loves you - unconditionally - no strings attached. All one has to do is say "Jesus, come into my heart." Rejoice in the knowledge that the Master is dining at the table with you too. Stand in the offering plate.