How can we apply Jesus' example of fellowship with outcasts in our lives? Jesus in Bethany: The Moment that Speaks Volumes Matthew 26:6: “While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper…” • Jesus deliberately enters the house of “Simon the leper,” a man whose very nickname signals social rejection. • The visit happens just days before the cross—proof that compassionate fellowship is never a low-priority add-on but central to His mission. Seeing Today’s “Simons” • People battling chronic illness or disability • Individuals experiencing homelessness • Those scarred by addiction or incarceration • Immigrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities pushed to the margins • The socially awkward, lonely, or overlooked within our own churches and neighborhoods Why It Matters: Scripture’s Clear Call • Matthew 9:12–13—Jesus: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • Luke 14:13–14—“When you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” • James 2:1–4—Partiality toward the wealthy is rebuked as sin. • 1 John 3:18—“Let us love not in word and speech but in action and truth.” Practical Ways to Walk Into “Simon’s House” Today 1. Notice and Approach • Train your eyes to sweep a room for the person standing alone. • Learn and use names quickly; dignity starts with recognition. 2. Share a Table • Schedule regular meals with someone outside your usual circle. • If cooking feels daunting, grab coffee or split a pizza—presence outweighs presentation. 3. Listen Before Speaking • Ask open-hearted questions; let stories flow without rushing to “fix” people. • Proverbs 18:13 warns against answering before listening. 4. Leverage What You Already Do • Invite an outcast into errands, hobbies, school runs, or workouts. • Ruth 2 shows Boaz simply leaving extra grain for Ruth as he harvested—generosity woven into routine. 5. Bridge to the Body of Christ • Offer to sit together at church, introduce them to friends, and explain unfamiliar rhythms. • Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to stir one another to love and good deeds—not just attend the same service. 6. Advocate Quietly but Firmly • Speak up when jokes, slurs, or subtle exclusions arise. • Proverbs 31:8—“Speak up for those who have no voice.” Guardrails for Authentic Fellowship • Motives: Pursue people because they bear God’s image, not as a personal project. • Boundaries: Honor safety and propriety (e.g., meet in public spaces when wisdom dictates). • Perseverance: Relationships with wounded hearts can be slow; Galatians 6:9 urges us not to grow weary. The Blessings We Receive • A clearer glimpse of Christ’s heart (Philippians 2:5). • A church family that mirrors heaven’s diversity (Revelation 7:9). • Personal joy—“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Closing Reflection Step across the threshold, just as Jesus did at Simon’s home. Your table, your time, and your listening ear can become holy ground where outcasts encounter the living Savior through you. |
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