A QUIET AND PEACEFUL LIFE

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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Timothy

Read 1 Timothy 1-2

     This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  1 Timothy 1:15

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     Timothy had been a disciple and traveling partner of the apostle Paul. Now he is the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul begins this letter to him by expressing his thankfulness for God’s mercy in his own life.
     He refers to himself as the “chief of sinners” whom Jesus came to save, because he was at one time a persecutor of Christians. “However,” he writes, “for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
     In relationship to unbelievers, Paul writes, “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”   (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

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     Lord, I pray for our President and for all in his administration that they will acknowledge your authority and that we may lead godly and reverent lives among our neighbors. Thank you for showing mercy to me, a sinner.

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     “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...”   1 Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV

EATING WITH SINNERS

MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR

Read Mark 2:13–17

When the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" Mark 2:16 NKJV

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Matthew was a tax collector, a Jewish man who worked for the Roman government. The religious leaders saw a traitor but Jesus saw a man who needed a Savior. Jesus could look into a man's heart because He was the Son of God. In fact, Jesus had no problem eating with sinners, because He knew that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…(Romans 3:23)

A few of the religious leaders came to realize who Jesus was, but most did not. This is why the first message He preached was "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15 NKJV) Repentance required admitting their sin, and receiving God’s Son, the promised Messiah.

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Jesus not only saw Matthew's heart, he saw his potential. He later chose Matthew as one of the twelve apostles. Lord, help me to understand the hearts of my children and envision their potential. Even though that is not completely possible, I can trust You to know their hearts and work all things together for their good.

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Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32 NIV