GENEROSITY

Psalm 148:1-14; Revelations 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

Introduction

Accepting all is about the reception of all individuals without any exception or discrimination (race, gender, religion, abilities, nationality, etc.) I'm glad to bring to the table, Jesus Christ accepts all without barriers.

From the Old Testament, Israel was divinely selected as God's people, guided and well-protected at all times but God did not sideline humanity. God's plan for the selection was to draw all others through them.

On the exodus, some others who were not Israelites were welcomed to join their journey from Egypt (Exodus 12:38)

Rahab, the harlot in Jericho who kept the spies from harm was saved with her entire family (Joshua 6:22-23). Her name is found in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:5). 

We can recall the story of Jonah when God sent him to Nineveh to turn them from their evil ways. God accepted their repentance and blessed them with peace. God had to teach Jonah that He accepts all without limitations (Jonah 4:10-11).

The Psalmist calls on all creation to praise the Lord for His goodness (Psalm 148; 2:10-12). God's interest in all humanity is also seen in Malachi 1:11, where God's name will be on the lips of all nations from the rising of the sun to its setting. 

This interest of God in humanity to receive all is highly seen in the New Testament, from Jesus' life, teachings, and beyond.

Jesus welcomed all into his presence and offered Himself and His teachings to all who came toward Him. He told us that He would draw all persons to Himself (John 12:32). We find no instances where Jesus rejected someone or refused someone who was seeking Him. More than that, Jesus received and even shared meals with the sorts of people who were being rejected by society, and religious leaders.

What stands out in the Biblical record is that Jesus welcomed and interacted with lepers, the lame, blind, deaf, and dumb. He interacted socially with women (some with questionable reputations). Jesus also spent time with adulterers, Jewish tax collectors, and murderers who were rejected by all standards.

Furthermore, Jesus spent time with the Pharisees and Sadducees, religious leaders who were His most severe critics (including some who plotted his execution). The apostle John tells us that Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save and rescue people for God. Jesus said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). He also instructed His disciples to love their enemies (Luke 6:27), forgive those who wronged them and bless those who cursed them (Luke 6:28) and be the light to this dark world (Matt. 5:14). Jesus also extended forgiveness to his executioners (Luke 23:34).

What comes to us so powerfully is that Jesus came to benefit all. He was “on the side” of everyone, He was “for” everyone. He is God’s grace and God’s salvation for all. Paul sums it up that Jesus came to atone for the sins of the ungodly, the sinners—those “dead in their sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and "...that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" Romans 5:8 (HCSB).

The attitude and acts of Jesus, demonstrate God’s love for all human beings and His desire to be reconciled to all and to bless all. Jesus came to give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10). God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus came as a ransom to free captives of sin—to free them from their own sins and from the evil done against them. On the cross, He demonstrated His reception for all by saying to the thief on the cross, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (HCSB). Remember that, Jesus receives all without any discrimination.

Jesus accepts all … who come to Him or receive Him or open the door for Him.

Jesus says; 

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

"Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out." (John 6:37)

"But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name," John 1:12 (HCSB)

"Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and have dinner with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (HCSB)

Jesus accepts all as He waits for our response to this offer. In His own words, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31). “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). We must be like the soil that “receives the word” of the sower “with joy” (Luke 8:13). “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Conclusion

Jesus accepts all. He died for all. He reconciles all to God. But he does this as our Lord and Saviour. His welcome and acceptance is an offer, an invitation that calls for a response from you. The hymnist says, "Christ receives the sinful men".

Shalom aleichem...