For Those

This past week I was thinking about our upcoming Rush of Fools concert and listening to their song, “For Those.” Read the words of the chorus:

Lord we know it’s for those You’ve come
Lord we know it’s for those You’ve given Your Son
Lord we know it’s for those who can’t come on their own
That You’ve come, You have come for those

Hear these words of Jesus from the gospel of Mark, “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17, TNIV When you read this, who is it that Jesus is coming for, who specifically do you see? Jesus came “for those” who are those? If you are like most people you see “those people” as outside the church. You can probably even envision a neighbor or co-worker. Have you ever envisioned that you are the one Jesus came to save? Jesus came to save those who can’t come on their own, those who are sick, and those who are hurting, and that is us. This song, this passage is not just about people who are outside the church, they are about us.

During this season of Lent we are focusing on the life of Christ, and what he did for us. Have we forgotten that Jesus cleanses us from our sins? Jesus washes us clean; Jesus came to heal our brokenness, our addictions, and our struggles. It is because of Jesus’ work on the cross and in his resurrection that we all can stand with hope today; it is because of Jesus that we live life with purpose.

Knowing he did that for us, does it change your day? Does your life look any different since you invited Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? Our pews are filled with countless stories of God’s grace and the work of the Spirit. The work of the Spirit in our lives is real and powerful, if we can slow down enough to listen and look for it. Knowing what God has done for you, that he gave his Son so you might have life and life to the fullest. John 10:10 What will your response be?

This passage and song reminds us that “those” Jesus came for include us, but it also includes a number of people who are not here right now. Jesus came to save a number of people who don’t know the Good News yet. As those who have been told, whose lives have been changed we have a responsibility to share that Good News, to invite others into that full life that Jesus promised to us. Easter is a time of year to extend that invitation, since a number of people who usually don’t regularly attend will go to church Easter. But this does not end with Easter; we as a church have dedicated ourselves to a call to be, “Community Focused, Caring, Growing, and Open to All People.” Jesus’ message needs to touch and drive each part of that vision, and for us to be a church who seeks to continually invite “those” in, who do not know the Good News….yet.

Pastor Bill