The Friendship of God
Wednesday, October 8 • The Week of the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost • The Friendship of God • Matthew 9.9-17
“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Jesus calls Matthew mid-calculation. Grace interrupts his life. The ledger of merit collapses, adn the math of mercy beings. At His table, the pious protest, but the sick rejoice. Why? Because the Physician has come with wine not more rules as His medicine. The old skins of striving cannot hold this new ferment of forgiveness. Christ doesn’t fix us; Christ feasts with us now. The Bridegroom’s presence turns repentance into rejoicing, fasting into freedom. In His eyes, we are already loved, already found. The kingdom starts here, over dinner, with sinners. Here at His table mercy tastes like the friendship of God.
Bible Study Help
If you want to read the Bible daily with the Church, you can find a robust reading plan in the Daily Lectionary. Clergy at All Saints will be happy to show you how.
Here are some other helps with your regular Bible reading provided by Scripture Union.
Liturgy for Life
Did you know you can find a guide for daily devotions in the Book of Common Prayer? Check it out, starting on page 136.
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