When Jesus begins calling disciples he does not call those who believe they are righteous, he calls sinners instead. In this chapter, we will learn a lot about the attitude we need in order to be put right with God.
Father in Heaven,
We thank you that Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but rather sinners in need of repentance. If you were looking for righteous people, you would never have chosen us.
We now ask you for your forgiveness, healing, cleansing and complete transformation. We want to know that we are new creatures in Christ.
And then, just like those earliest disciples, we want to be used by you to draw others into a relationship with Jesus. We ask that you would help us to “fish for people.” Like Levi’s friends, let us have the blessing of seeing our friends and family come to know you.
We know that we come to you as sinners, but that you have the ability to make us saints. Make us holy, please.
In Christ,
Amen.
Dear heavenly Father,
Your people have often fallen into times of deep hypocrisy and in this chapter we see Jesus confront a group of people who were in one of those times.
Help us to be especially sensitive to the ways that our lives do not line up with your desires for us.
Let us always remember that you get to set the agenda in our lives individually and in the church.
And help us not to forget the importance of prayer. We know it can be really effective when we truly believe and consistently bring our requests before you.
We also know that before prayer comes a heart of forgiveness. Help us to be those people that refuse to hold grudges and refuse to let unforgiveness cloud our relationship with you.
And we thank you for all the ways and the times that you have forgiven us.
In Christ,
Amen.
Early in his ministry Jesus claims to have authority to forgive sin and calls himself the Lord of the Sabbath. This sounds like blasphemy unless Jesus is actually God.
Central Reflections 