We’re Imperfect Ambassadors to Unexpected People
The beauty of Jesus and the Gospel is seen in the fact that He receives, accepts, and heals the unclean, the outsider, and the outcast.
This past Sunday Nick preached through Matthew 8:1-17 where three different instances of healings are recorded. Remembering that the Gospel of Matthew is written with a Jewish audience in mind makes the healings stand out even more considering who is being healed. In the three stories there is a high amount of faith and service to the King displayed. This sets up a contrast to the Jewish reader who would be culturally predisposed to assume being better at following rules is the necessary requirement and outcome to salvation, when in fact Jesus is proclaiming and showing that it is faith and following Him.
We see that in the three miracles that the Kingdom is filled with unexpected, imperfect people who choose to follow the King. This is shown clearly through the people who Jesus chooses to heal in these passages. As Nick pointed out Sunday, the beauty of Jesus and the Gospel is seen in the fact that He receives, accepts, and heals the unclean (v1-4), the outsider (v5-13), and the outcast (v14-17). The Gospel and the Kingdom are for everyone, and the King makes an effort to point that out through His words and actions throughout scripture.
With that in mind I think there are two important takeaways to this truth. First, we can find comfort and peace in these stories realizing those whom Jesus chooses are not the obvious ones based on external appearances or abilities, but the unexpected ones due to their faith and the posture of their hearts. A cursory read of Jesus’ miracles and healings in general will show that common thread.
This truth flows into other New Testament passages, such as Paul testifying to God’s power in the midst of our weaknesses “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). It’s not to suggest making excuses for sin or impurity, because Paul addresses that as well in Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” The glorious truth is that we don’t have to, nor could we ever, earn Christ’s grace and acceptance (Eph. 2:8-10), because in Him we are fully washed clean and don’t have to be good enough to earn more cleansing, or as I often say, we don’t have to wash our hands before we take a bath.
The second truth that Nick made sure to hold out for us to not miss, is that if Jesus accepts, receives, and heals the unclean, outsider, and outcast, then why wouldn’t we also? If you’re a part of the Kingdom, ask God to help you see those on the outside who need to meet the King. We aren’t the ones who give the healing and redemption that the world desperately needs, but as Kingdom citizens we are ambassadors for the King, bringing the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom, to all who are in darkness outside the Kingdom (2 Cor. 5:18-21). Jesus even makes this clear later on in Matthew 25:31-46, that those who are true Kingdom citizens are the ones who have actively been carrying the message and blessing of the Kingdom to those in the dark, the unclean, outsiders, and outcasts. Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
So together, as the church, as Kingdom citizens, let us find comfort in knowing Jesus accepts, receives, and heals the unclean, outsider, and outcast, and let us not miss the our calling and opportunities to be ambassadors of the Good News of the Kingdom to those who do not know the King.