“I hate them. They’re _______!” (He used a euphemism for scum.) As I continued to converse with the teen, it became clear that he strongly disliked a certain group of students at school because of the way they talked and acted. The offending ones were unpleasant for him to be around and my young friend had no love for them. Although a believer in Jesus, he couldn’t stand to be around people he viewed as scum.
A group of Pharisees once went to some of Jesus’ disciples to complain about certain scumlike characters (Mark 2:16). Who were the offending bottom-feeders? “Tax collectors and other disreputable sinners” (Mark 2:15). I love what Mark wrote next: “There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.” It’s evident that those kinds of people were welcomed by Jesus with open arms. He even sought them out (Mark 2:14). For He truly loved the “scum.”
“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do,” Jesus said. “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17). The Pharisees couldn’t see beyond their own self-righteousness. Jesus knew their hearts and that they too needed to realize they were sinners!
Let’s face it, all of us are scum (Romans 3:23). We’re all sinners in need of a Savior who looks beyond our failures and transgressions—One who sees souls that are worth saving. So for us to look down on others because of their sin is hypocritical and flat-out wrong. It goes against the very heart of God.
That’s what I strived to point out gently to my young friend. Yes, we’re all scum, but each person also possesses great value in God’s eyes. May we choose to reach out to those who are scum like us today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 28:1-25
More:
Read Luke 16:15 and Luke 18:9-14 and consider how Jesus condemned those who were self-righteous.
Next:
Why is it easy to look down on others because of their sin? How can you show God’s love to some fellow scumlike people in your life this week?
Gary Shultz on April 2, 2015 at 6:43 am
Yes, we are scum, please pass the dirt, mud, ashes, and worms. It’s hard to get over ourselves and life has a way of ranking worth. Only problem is we can see the heart we can’t see beyond as you say our own self-righteousness. I think at times it takes more than we can give, then God steps in and gives us humbling grace. Thanks
Gary Shultz on April 2, 2015 at 6:45 am
Sorry, that should have been we can’t see the heart, nor what God has in store for that matter.
tgustafs on April 2, 2015 at 8:13 am
Tom, this is a great reminder. We condemn the Pharisees for their attitude but we don’t see the same in ourselves. So my prayer today is that I will permit the Holy Spirit to identify my own self-righteousness.
marino4him on April 2, 2015 at 8:24 am
I declare Not that I am a Christian as a declaration of superiority…..But rather the humble admission of my character deficiencies and the one to whom I depend on to overcome those character flaws. My identification with Christ is my humble admission I am a sinner and completely dependent on Him and Him alone for my Salvation and Sanctification. As we all have heard before….A Christian is just one beggar telling another beggar where and WHO he can get Living water and Bread from. Lets become small that others can become Great in Him and the Love He has for us All! 1 JN 2:1&2 love you ALL …. Happy Easter! Praise God HE is Risen!
Winn Collier on April 2, 2015 at 5:30 pm
it’s so easy to think of the other person as truly “the other,” isn’t it