In the Bible, Jesus interacts with persons labeled "sinners" and "outcasts". Individuals who had been judged guilty of a wide variety of legal, societal and moral wrongs. Thievery and sexual immoralities. Illnesses and physical conditions that excluded them from community. Compulsions, addictions, occupations and proclivities that cut them off from "good people." Of course, it was the "good people" who had done the labeling and the judging.
Jesus moved toward such people. He touched them. He spoke lovingly to them. He healed them. He forgave their sins. He told them to leave their sinful ways behind. He sought them out because he had something better in mind for them than what they had come to believe was normal. He wanted a relationship with them.
How did the sinners and outcasts react when Jesus stepped right into their messed-up lives? They didn't get defensive. They knew the labels were true. They were sinners. They were outcasts. They had been chasing things they believed would satisfy, yet they were coming up empty. Until Jesus comes to them. He sees them as they are. For what they are, and he loves them anyway! Their response was gratitude. A new estimation of what their life meant in light of Jesus' love. Some of them wanted to immediately accompany Jesus on his mission. None of them were left unchanged by their encounter with him.
If you have ever felt like an outcast, 2nd-rate, "less than", or unknown, there is good news. His name is Jesus. He loves you.
