Mackenzie Rice, High School Student

Matthew 9:9-13 (ESV)
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous but Sinners.”

Reflection:
The song Nobody by Casting Crowns brings a cheesy, ear-to-ear grin to my face every time I hear the beginning beats. The song starts with, “Why you ever chose me has always been a mystery,” and wraps up this narrative, “Ever since you rescued me, you gave my heart a song to sing. I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus.” Jesus chooses all people, invites them to the table, and gives us the perfect example of how to live with others.  

In a world with constant pressure to be ‘on’ and to have a ‘proper’ and ‘respectable’ external presentation, I’m constantly in awe of the lack of prerequisites it takes to follow Jesus. Sure, being a faithful follower comes with spiritual practices and Biblical expectations, but Jesus doesn’t require us to have that whole ‘prayer life’ concept (or any other concept, for that matter) figured out before inviting us to his table. It’s through the grace, kindness, and universal love extended by Jesus that subsequent change emerges, from the inside out. Jesus chooses us first, then invites us to his table, and now, with a connection formed over a shared meal, our ‘hearts have a song to sing.’

The same can be applied in our own pursuits of building relationships and communities. Jesus shows us that the external presentations are not the entirety of a person; we can’t let cultural norms and preconceived notions dictate who we invite to our table. In fact, only choosing relatable, friendly, eager, put-together people is like a physician who only treats healthy people: it’s possible and potentially the easiest route to take, but it’s missing the point.

The truth is, Jesus chose you. Jesus met and continues to meet you where you’re at, whether it be a tax booth or a church pew or anywhere in between. And Jesus, in an incredibly tender, intimate, and flagrantly inclusive moment, chooses to share a meal with you. Therefore as Christians, we’re called to embody this radical welcoming and build a longer table, not a taller fence.

Prayer:
Awesome God,
What a glorious mystery it is to be chosen by you; for I was a ‘nobody,’ but now, through you, I have a purpose. Open my eyes to the people around me, and help me to see who I should invite to my table. Your Kingdom is for both the ‘healthy’ and the ‘sick,’ so help me to embody that spirit of hospitality. And Lord, when my humanity comes in the way of embracing the inclusivity You’ve taught, give me awareness of my partiality so I can break down that fence between my neighbor and me. Amen.