We have to forget the fortress mentality!

The text for today was the last part of chapter of five of Luke. God really showed me something I needed to see.

In my observations I saw that Jesus did things different then the religious folks of his day. They avoided sinners-- he went to eat with them. Others were fasting as a group-- his disciples weren't. I also noticed that Jesus really had a clear purpose and objective. When they challenged him on why he was eating with sinners, the answer was right there-- this is my purpose.

The interpretation to this passage is really challenging. Jesus was telling us that he was going to do it different then everyone else. His goal was to get out where the people were that needed him, not fortress himself away from them. No wonder they often felt loved by him! He even tells a parable where he says new things require new boxes or new paradigms. I'm going to do it different. Sinners need me so I'm going to them. One final word in the parable-- people when they have the old wine, don't like the new. What he's saying there is that change is difficult. We are happy with the status quo but we must embrace change.

In the application part I was convicted. This is my prayer. "Father, I'm too into the fortress mentality once again-- I need to get back out there where the people who most need you are. Help me to make friends and be salt and light where I'm needed most." My application is that I want to reach out and make some friends who don't know Jesus that maybe by God's grace I might help them know him.