Irresistible Grace
Matthew 9:9-13 (ESV)
Jesus Calls Matthew
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 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.”
Study Guide Questions:
What does choosing someone like Matthew to be His disciple reveal about God’s grace?
How does Jesus challenge or expand the theology of separation that the Jewish leaders taught?
Is there something that God might be challenging you to leave behind to follow Him?
God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Are there rituals that have lost their significance (e.g., “golden calves”) that you need to release?
Who is/are the outsiders and outcasts in your life? How can your community group support you in sharing God’s irresistible grace?