12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray” Matthew 18:12-13.
Everyone matters. Everyone is equal in God's eyes. Everyone can get their relationship right with God, in spite of past sins.
Jesus' challenge to the society of His time was His revelation of what the Kingdom of God was like. It was shocking to learn that it embraced all those excluded by society including sinners who were 'lost' because they had blatantly broken the Law of God and were unclean. Jesus puts value on everyone which is why He died and rose from the dead for everyone.
We sinners are not damned but encouraged to repent and restore our relationship with God. The so-called 'good' people - in Jesus' time the righteous religious leaders - are in a more difficult position because they are not able to recognize their guilt. Their pride in their alleged perfection is seen as leading them to believe that they have no need of God and what the Kingdom of God offers. But we sinners recognize a need for forgiveness and God's kingdom.
We know that God created everything and, therefore, everything has equal value. From this comes our belief that God is concerned equally about everyone, however they behave and whatever their circumstances.
In a competitive, secular society, it serves the ambitious if some people can be excluded. Such excluded people might include the homeless, addicts, prisoners, refugees, asylum seekers, the elderly, the handicapped, the sick, the unemployed, and sexual-oriented minorities, to name a few. The Kingdom Jesus spoke about challenges these trends. It goes right to the heart of what all people are - made in God's image.
So take time in prayer today and lift up everyone in prayer, especially yourself, praying that you may welcome and love all whom God brings into your life.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
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