“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.””
(Luke 19:8 NKJV)
Recently I found myself doing something odd, actually something quite normal. I seem to enjoy searching Instagram looking for posts that make me mad. I know I am not alone in the following: I love feeling smarter than others, I love feeling like I am more passionate about things than others, I love feeling more righteous than others, and I love condemning those I disagree with. Social media is a great way to fan all of these flames.
But this is not about social media. It is about self-righteousness turning into something much worse, a lack of compassion. When we revel in how right and righteous we are and how wrong and terrible others are, we quickly lose sight of the Purpose of the Gospel. To save the lost.
We make much out of the fact that Jesus’ spent time with tax collectors and sinners. We don’t make enough out of the fact that His interest was their salvation. When we come up against those who do wrong or believe things we see as wrong how much does our righteous judgement really matter?
How much does Grace filled conversation mixed with honest concern for saving the lost matter? Here is the big secret, tax collectors were rich and successful. They lived luxurious lives at the expense of honest families. Still Jesus wanted them to know salvation. Is it not mysterious that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could do more than all the indignation and snideness of the community?
Grace be with you,
Jason
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