And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway
took counsel with the Herodians against Him,
how they might destroy Him.
Mark 3:6
The Lord Jesus always demonstrated compassion and extended mercy towards the outcasts of society...
took counsel with the Herodians against Him,
how they might destroy Him.
Mark 3:6
The Lord Jesus always demonstrated compassion and extended mercy towards the outcasts of society...
Prostitutes, thieves, and corrupt tax collectors, who in Christ’s day were basically swindlers and extortioners, were loved by Him. While never condoning their lifestyles, Jesus did His best to show them the way to repentance, and a better way to live.
In fact, the number one complaint the religious leaders had against Him, was that He ate with, and spent much of His time with, “sinners.”
Sadly, the hearts of these self-righteous priests and spiritual elders had become so hardened with envy, that even from the start of Jesus’ public ministry, they were already plotting how they might kill Him.
Rather than being filled with joy and gratitude that multitudes of sick people were being healed, and those who were crippled were being made whole, the religious crowd had become jealous. So much for them. While appearing holy and righteous on the outside, their hearts were rotting away with hatred. Is it any different today? Those, who think themselves to be good, despise those whom they consider to be bad. They’re filled with anger whenever they see ‘bad’ folks getting blessed.
Really, it’s not all that different now. There are those who hate to see God doing good and miraculous things in the lives of prison inmates. They believe those who've been convicted of a crime or crimes, do not deserve mercy. And they’re right! No one does. Not even them. As the Bible declares, “There is no one who is righteous, not a single one” (Romans 3:10). And it goes on to say, "For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard” (Romans 3:23).
How ironic, therefore, that those whom society had written off as evil and worthless, were flocking to Jesus for forgiveness. And the Lord received each one with open arms. While those who considered themselves to be models of civic behavior, champions of justice, and the vanguards of religious leadership, spent their time thinking of ways to kill Christ. In the end, they were the worst lawbreakers of all.
D.B.
In fact, the number one complaint the religious leaders had against Him, was that He ate with, and spent much of His time with, “sinners.”
Sadly, the hearts of these self-righteous priests and spiritual elders had become so hardened with envy, that even from the start of Jesus’ public ministry, they were already plotting how they might kill Him.
Rather than being filled with joy and gratitude that multitudes of sick people were being healed, and those who were crippled were being made whole, the religious crowd had become jealous. So much for them. While appearing holy and righteous on the outside, their hearts were rotting away with hatred. Is it any different today? Those, who think themselves to be good, despise those whom they consider to be bad. They’re filled with anger whenever they see ‘bad’ folks getting blessed.
Really, it’s not all that different now. There are those who hate to see God doing good and miraculous things in the lives of prison inmates. They believe those who've been convicted of a crime or crimes, do not deserve mercy. And they’re right! No one does. Not even them. As the Bible declares, “There is no one who is righteous, not a single one” (Romans 3:10). And it goes on to say, "For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard” (Romans 3:23).
How ironic, therefore, that those whom society had written off as evil and worthless, were flocking to Jesus for forgiveness. And the Lord received each one with open arms. While those who considered themselves to be models of civic behavior, champions of justice, and the vanguards of religious leadership, spent their time thinking of ways to kill Christ. In the end, they were the worst lawbreakers of all.
D.B.
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