A Place at the Table

Today is 9/9 and Matthew 9:9 says, "As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him."  NLT

I love what this verse represents.  It represents grace and acceptance.  People were not hanging out with Matthew.  No, Mr. Popularity he was not!  His job did not lend itself, or him, to an honorable status.  Most people would not give him the time of day, much less offer him a place at the table.  But Jesus wasn't just anyone - He was the Messiah!  He gives grace to the unacceptable in our society.  He gave that grace to Matthew.  And God bless Matthew....he was drawn to the Savior.  He "jumped" at the chance to leave his sorry circumstances and follow Jesus. 

Matthew ended up sitting at the table with Jesus, breaking bread with Him.  Jesus gives us that same opportunity to have relationship with Him and to follow Him, to have a place at the table.  That's the way of our Lord.  When society looks down on us, we can still look up to Jesus who accepts us and forgives us and offers us grace - no matter where we are, or where we've come from.  He gives us the same grace He gave to Matthew.  And, like Matthew, I'm jumping at the chance to walk with Him!