Who is The Church for?

Too often we act as though the church is a country club; that it is only for the elite, prominent and successful ones in society. Jesus did call successful business people to be part of the church (see Luke 5). He called fisherman to be part of his "ekklesia" to help change the world. Luke follows with three stories that show who else Jesus calls to be part of the church. He reaches out and engages with people who would never be country club material – one is a leper, one a paralytic, and the third a tax collector. The first two Jesus miraculously heals and  word gets out. Crowds appear from all walks of life: needy people, poor people, sick people. And the third one is a "good-for-nothing" tax collector named Levi who invites Jesus to a party he is throwing with his friends.

The religious "country club" members, are disgusted with Jesus. They start saying to His disciples, "Hey, what's Jesus doing inviting them to be part of our club? He's one of us - not them. How dare He!" Ever felt this way about people whom God calls to be part of the Church? What is Jesus' answer? "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance." Jesus is saying, "Open your eyes to see that these are the very people I want in my movement. They realize their need for me - sadly you don't".

Country clubs are founded upon the concept of private membership and exclusion of the general public. Churches who ostracize people because of race, gender, sexual orientation, income-level (or any other reason) do not understand Jesus’ mission. Everyone is invited to accept God’s gracious offer to be saved and added to His church. A self-sufficient and satisfied church is only mentioned once in Scripture—the church of Laodicea.  And Jesus wanted to spew that sort of lukewarm church out of His mouth.

Be sure to read the parable of The Life Saving Station as a challenge to stay on mission with Jesus' intent for His Church.