Jesus was attractive, because He connected with people where they were. The Lord Jesus didn’t judge them. He knew their hearts already, but he listened to their needs. The Pharisees along with religious leaders displayed no interest in connecting with the people.
And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others. - Mark 7:13 NLT
Today, we still have “Pharisees” in the church who think their traditions are more important or “attractive” than reaching the marginalized in our society.
Religion, however, seeks to put on a pedestal man’s attempt to connect with God.
Some groups of people who followed Jesus were:
- The underserved in the community: homeless, widows, orphans, women
- The physically and mentally disabled
- The working class: fisherman, tax collectors
- The outsiders and castaways: sex workers, refugees, mentally ill
Jesus is Attractive Religion Not So Much
He saw their response to Him, and their willingness to follow. He met their need for forgiveness and healing as they connected with God.
Religion, however, seeks to put on a pedestal man’s attempt to connect with God.
No one was coming to the Pharisees and religious leaders for healing or counseling. They despised people who didn’t fit their description of a believer like the sinful woman who wiped Jesus’ feet with her tears.
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” – Jeremiah 31:3.
The way of Jesus is always more attractive than the way of religion.
Unlike the religious leaders of his day, Jesus attracted people to Himself because of His compassion, not His religion (Matthew 20:34).
Those of us in the church who claim to be believers would do well to follow the Lord’s example and attract people with the love of Christ, not the love of religion.
Be Encouraged!
Stephanie
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