Some days I fear I serve an Unjust God.

Sometimes I feel like God is unjust. At least his sense of justice is much different than mine.

I am currently studying the book of Mark with a group of 19-20 year olds. This past week the story of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple has stood out in my mind. For those who don’t know tax collectors in Jesus' day were notoriously thieves who used somewhat legal means to take from those who couldn’t afford to give. (I might compare them to the guys who own payday loan stores, but that is another rant.)

What makes this story unique to me is that Matthew is not the victim of a crime or oppressive system. Matthew is the perpetrator and the enabler of the system, yet Christ called him to be one of his closest followers.

Jesus healed lepers, blind men, and paralytics. Jesus welcomed and uplifted women, even prostitutes, to be his followers.  He was always pulling from the bottom of the barrel of society. Everyone loves the Jesus who brings reconciliation to those trampled on by society. But does everyone love the Jesus who brings hope to those who are doing the trampling.

We all want healing for someone who is the victim of rape, but do we want healing for the rapist?

We all want healing for those who are devastated by the aftermath of abortion, but do we want healing for the abortionist?

We all want the victims of child slavery to be freed, but do we hope for the chance to bump into Joseph Kony when we get to heaven?

Most days my sense of justice would say NO to all of these questions, but when I read the story of Matthew I begin to think that my knee jerk reaction is quite unlike Christ.

I could never advocate for a Christ without accountability. But some days I fear my life may show advocacy for a Christ without forgiveness.

“When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Mark 2:17

Christ, let me to never forget that I am a sinner.












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