Publicans Not Excluded

The calling of Matthew to be one of Christ’s disciples excited great indignation. For a religious teacher to choose a publican as one of his immediate attendants was an offense against the religious, social, and national customs.7Ibid., 273.

In his grateful humility, Matthew desired to show his appreciation of the honor bestowed upon him; and, calling together those who had been his associates in business, in pleasure, and in sin, he made a great feast for the Saviour. If Jesus would call him, who was so sinful and unworthy, He would surely accept his former companions, who were, thought Matthew, far more deserving than himself. Matthew had a great longing that they should share the benefits of the mercies and grace of Christ. He desired them to know that Christ did not … despise and hate the publicans and sinners. He wanted them to know Christ as the blessed Saviour….

Jesus never refused an invitation to such a feast. The object ever before Him was to sow in the hearts of His hearers the seeds of truth—through His winning conversation to draw hearts to Himself. In His every act Christ had a purpose, and the lesson which He gave on this occasion was timely and appropriate. By this act He declared that even publicans and sinners were not excluded from His presence….

The Pharisees beheld Christ sitting and eating with publicans and sinners…. These self-righteous men, who felt no need of help, could not appreciate the work of Christ. They placed themselves where they could not accept the salvation which He came to bring. They would not come unto Him that they might have life. The poor publicans and sinners felt their need of help, and they accepted the instruction and aid which they knew Christ was able to give them.8The Signs of the Times, June 23, 1898.

To Matthew himself the example of Jesus at the feast was a constant lesson. The despised publican became one of the most devoted evangelists, in his own ministry following closely in his Master’s steps.9The Desire of Ages, 275.
Conflict and Courage p. 284
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray continue to pray for those affected by the hurricane.
—-Please be praying for my brother Nathan. He’s dealing with still grieving for his dad, but he has some unsavory roommates and they have filled his mind with unsound doctrine. He doesn’t even want to go to church anymore, and recently he told mom that he has sold his soul to the devil and can’t see a way out. Jennifer
—-Prayers for my son-in-law. Having major surgery Monday. Opal
—-A dear friend just had an apparent stroke and her beloved family is requesting for us to prayer for her – Bernie is her name. Steve
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, we were friends with a young couple who went to our church. They spent many happy hours at our house. We were good enough friends that we went to their wedding even though it was a five-hour drive to get to the town where it was held. When they decided to go back into mission service, they stayed at our house just before they left. They promised to come back and see us when they were back in the states.

We corresponded quite regularly for a while, but as each family became busier and busier with their own lives, the letters became more infrequent. After their mission service was over, we only received a Christmas letter. When they came back to see her parents before going to moving to the European country where he was from, they forgot all about their promise to come and see us.

Eventually, instead of an annual letter, we were given a website address to keep abreast of the happenings in their life. I occasionally visited that website, but as I got busier, I stopped altogether. One of the last times that I remember going to that website, I saw that they were back in the states and that they had not come to visit us or even let us know. When I think about that, I feel a Little sad and a little ashamed for my part in drifting apart.

Even though earthly friends or even family may forget to stay in contact, we have the assurance that He will never forget us! He promises, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15, 16 He declares that He has not forgotten us. He is coming back and that promise is sure. Praise God!

Before He left to go back to Heaven, our Dear Saviour promised, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3 Throughout the intervening years, God’s people have looked for the fulfillment of that promise.

So why has there been so long a delay in His coming? Peter explains. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” verses 9 -14

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.” Ps 50:3-6

May we “cast not away [our] confidence . . . for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb 10:35, 37 May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, [we] shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 2 Peter 1:10;5:4 May we hold to the promise, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev 22:20

Rose