My father-in-law used to say, “Don’t call me religious. I’m not that. I’m a Christian. I’m imperfect, and I need Jesus. There’s no way I could make it to Heaven without Him.” Now I may have substituted a few words here like “ain’t”, which was one of his favorites, but I just couldn’t bring myself to use it in writing. You can get the gist though. After years of hearing him say this and growing in my understanding of the Gospels, I get it. In story after story, we can see where the religious people (Pharisees, teacher’s of the law, & scribes) of Jesus’ day opposed Him. They liked the “law” which only they could understand and keep. They liked being in and keeping others out.
The religious people often complained about who Jesus kept as company because they were people who didn’t “fit in” with them. At one point, Jesus even addresses the issue by saying, “...Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent” (Luke 5:31-32).
Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, opens with a lineage of Jesus. It may seem “boring” to most, but throughout the entire Bible, we can see it tells the overarching story that God wants each of us, despite what our past or even our present looks like, to come to Him.
Here’s a quick look at some of the people God used in Jesus’ lineage:
Jacob, mentioned in verse 2, lied to his father, and stole his brother’s inheritance. He also physically wrestled with God (and lost I might add). Despite this, he was still worthy of God’s love. God still had purpose for his life.
David, mentioned in verse 6, fell in love with a married woman, Bathsheba. He got her pregnant and then arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. Yet, he was still worthy of God’s love. God still had purpose for his life.
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was engaged and pregnant with Jesus by divine intervention. However by societal standards she was unwed and pregnant, which looked pretty shady to those in Mary’s life. Despite the way others may have viewed her and her circumstances, she was still worthy of God’s love, He still had purpose for her life.
What’s your story?
Does it involve addiction?
Does it involve infidelity?
Abortion?
Deceit?
Abandonment?
Loss?
Mental health struggles?
Are you in the midst of financial hardship or divorce?
Have you, too, been turned away by “religious” people?
I’ve got news for you: There’s still room for you at Jesus’ table. You’re still worthy of God’s love. God still has a purpose for YOUR life.
You matter.
Your life matters.
And we, both you and I, are the exact reason why Jesus came, and why He’s worth celebrating this Christmas and all year long.
If you’ve been hurt by church-y or religious people, I’m so sorry. You aren’t the first, and you won’t be the last. Jesus came so we could be forgiven and also extend forgiveness. When we come to Him as we are, in our ugliness and hurt, He makes it ALL right through His blood.
Friends, this is my invitation to you to welcome Jesus into your life this holiday season. If you have and things have gone stale, this is my invitation to you to reignite your faith in Him. It’s an invitation to intentionally put down the hurt, to put down the shame, and to come as you are to Him and a church near you.
If you don’t have a church, reach out and I can help you find one, and as always, you’re invited to join me at C3 in Wheeling each Sunday at 10:00 AM. It’s definitely a place where we don’t practice religion, like my father-in-law felt so strongly about. It’s a place where we practice following Christ, proclaiming our need for Him, striving to grow together in His Word and in community with one another.
Have a great weekend, friends!
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