Everyone Has Worth

"Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. 'What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?' Jesus, overhearing, shot back, 'Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.'"~Matthew 9:10-13 MSG


Last Saturday morning I was in Davenport, on my way to help on a mission project when I saw something that touched me in a very strange way. As I drove up the long Brady Street hill, I saw a long line of what seemed to be homeless and poverty stricken people waiting to give plasma. They were waiting for the plasma center doors to open so that they could earn a little cash. 


I started pondering the idea of how sad it is that the poorest of our population stand in line to donate plasma for a few dollars. But, then as I prayed about this I came to see it in a different way. God always provides in ways we cannot see. Sadly, people around the world need plasma for any hope of surviving particular illnesses. The general population has very few people willing to donate plasma for free. The poverty stricken are lifesavers for the sick and weak. The poor earn money for food to sustain life while the sick are blessed with the lifesaving plasma. Each are cared for in a very special way.


When I read this scripture, I thought about how often people don't see the worth in those considered to be riffraff in our society. The Pharisees were disgusted that Jesus would lower himself to eat with the "outsiders." I'm guessing those standing in line at the plasma center that morning would not be people that most of us would invite to dinner. But, it is exactly these people that Jesus asks us to reach out and help. Imagine how their lives could change if they were to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Each time we make an effort to help the poor, we are inviting the "outsiders" to come to know Jesus in a loving way through us. 


Jesus entrusts us with the responsibility to carry out His mission to help others come to know Him. The mission isn't just to love and support those that are easy to care about, but rather it pushes us to find ways to help the poor and weak, even those that may be considered riffraff. If we think the poor have little worth in our society, we might want to stop and think about that lifesaving plasma they give. Everyone has something to share, and everyone has worth in the eyes of Jesus.


Heavenly Father,
Open our eyes and hearts to the "outsiders" that are in need of coming to know You in their lives. Help us bring them into Your flock, so that together we further Your Kingdom. Give and grant us motivation and courage to find ways to go beyond the church walls to be Your disciples. 
Amen