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The Gospel At Home
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Jesus,
the Great Physician
Based on this morning’s Gospel—Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
 Jesus was unlike anyone who has ever lived. The people who spent time with him were both amazed and troubled by the things he said and did. Some people were more troubled than amazed. Take the Pharisees for example. They were bothered by both what he said and what he did. Particularly in today's lesson, the Pharisees are troubled by the people with whom Jesus spent his time. They asked the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus overhears this conversation and points out that it was just for people like tax collectors and sinners that Jesus came into the world.
It was easy for the Pharisees to judge and decide that some people weren't worth Jesus' time. Even the disciples struggled with that from time to time. Jesus spent time with sick people and sinners because they were the people who needed him most. He loved them. He recognized the inherent value in each person and made it his work to make them better.
As a family activity, find some broken things to show your children. You might choose some old books that need fixing, clothing that is ripped or missing buttons or an old piece of furniture that needs repairing or repainting. Ask them what they think you should do with these things. Should you throw them away? Are they worth your time? Maybe they think you should simply replace them with better, newer things.
Then, ask for their help in restoring these things to usability. Just because they're broken doesn't mean they're no good. They just need to be fixed. After all, Jesus doesn't throw us away when we are broken. Make it your project to repair the things you showed them. After you've worked together to fix them, decide as a family what to do with them. Perhaps you can donate the items to people who would really appreciate them. — Rick Adams
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