EXTENDING GRACE

Good morning everyone.

 

Here is today's Bible lesson:

 

EXTENDING GRACE

READ:
Matthew 9:9-13

Those who are well have no
need of a physician, but those
who are sick.  -Matthew 9:12

In the mid-1970's, divorce filings and final decrees appeared in the Public Records section of our local newspaper.  Rev. Bill Flanagan, a pastor at our church, read those names week after week and began to picture people, not statistics.  So he created a Divorce Recovery Workshop to offer help and healing in Christ to hurting people during a difficult time.  When concerned church members told Bill he was condoning divorce, he softly replied that he was simply extending God's grace to folks in need.

When Jesus invited Mattew the tax collector to follow Him, he accepted.  Matthew then invited Jesus to dinner at his house.  After the religious leaders criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Matthew 9:12-13).  Jesus, the Great Physician, wants to meet each of us at our point of need, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope.  What we don't deserve, He freely gives.

By reaching out to people in need, we can extend to others this grace of God in Christ-guiding them to His healing touch.  David McCasland

There's advantage in our weakness,
There is blessing in our pain;
It is when we're feeling helpless
That God's grace and strength sustain. -Fitzhugh
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When you know God's grace,
you'll want to show God's grace.

INSIGHT
Some people will avoid going to see a doctor at all costs.  They delay setting up an annual checkup and rationalize any symptoms as not worthy of medical attention.  In today's reading, we see this attitude can also apply to those who feel they are not spiritually sick.  They think they don't need the diagnosis and treatment of the Great Physician of the soul.  This was the response of the Pharisees to Jesus.  They did not believe they  were sinners and so did not need salvation.  To them Christ said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick" Matthew 9:12).  Unless individuals admit they are sinners, they will feel no need for a Savior.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace