Hosea 6:6 - Scum Guest List

Jesus said that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents," who is forgiven and restored to God. (Parable of the Lost Coin, Luke 10:15, New American Standard Bible, 1995) 

Yet the Prodigal's older brother didn't want to see the Prodigal Son restored to the family. 

Jesus constantly confronted this problem--not with the "bad" people, but the "good" people. 

Matthew was a tax collector -- an expert on overcharging, extorting, and bribery. He was one of the "bad" people. Yet Jesus recruited this crook to be one of His disciples.

“Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees {the "good" people} saw this, they asked his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with such scum?' 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, 'Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.' 13 Then he added, 'Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'” (Matthew 9:10–13, New Living Translation, 2015)

Jesus was quoting from a scripture written by the prophet Hosea. Hosea's entire life was an object lesson in mercy. God told him to marry a harlot, symbolizing how God had wooed the nation of Israel to be betrothed to him. Hosea's wife stayed around long enough to have some children with Hosea, then wandered off and ended up in slavery. Hosea bought her out of slavery and brought her home again, showering her with mercy.

The Pharisees, despising the "disreputable sinners" who were Matthew's dinner guests, knew the prophecies of Hosea backward and forward, but undoubtedly chafed at being reminded of how one of their esteemed prophets actually married a "sinner," illustrating his prophecy: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." (Hosea 6:6)

Forgiving Father,
It seems like there are "acceptable sins" and "unacceptable sins." Likewise there are "respectable sinners" and "disreputable sinners." What they say, do, eat, drink, dress... it all stirs up our prejudices. We pull back out of fear and disgust, anger and aversion. Forgive our unforgiveness. Teach us how to show mercy the way You do: freely, abundantly.  By the mercy of Jesus we pray, Amen.