Ever had dinner with a prostitute?  Considered sitting down for a chat with an alcoholic?  Have you ever spent time getting to know a thief?  Had a cup of coffee with a murderer?  Seems like an odd question but I’m serious.  Have you ever considered partaking in ANY of these activities?  Why not?  I realize many of you think I’ve fallen and bumped my head…..but I haven’t.  I admit, in the past, there have been folks I have gone WAY out of my way to avoid interacting with or being around.  Why?  Simply because they made me uncomfortable in some way.  Maybe it was something they did/didn’t do, I didn’t agree with their lifestyle, they didn’t wear deodorant, I didn’t like the way they dressed, or any number of ridiculous reasons.  Justifiable right?  Nope—not even a little bit.  The ONLY time I try to convince myself I’m justified in my actions are those moments I’m NOT justified in my actions.  **Hanging my head in shame**  What makes me better than others around me?  Nothing.  Absolutely NOTHING!  We keep our distance from those who make us uncomfortable– almost as if they have some infectious disease.  ‘If I get too close I’ll catch something.’ 

Consider for a moment, what if Jesus ONLY interacted with those in His time who had the most money, influence, etc.  Those actions would have COMPLETELY undermined His purpose for coming and, most likely, His entire ministry on this earth.  He actually did the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of what we do.  He purposefully had conversations with the down-trodden and destitute, He defended the weak and helpless, gave respect and showed love to adulterers and prostitutes.  He offered them something that met their spiritual needs…..something that filled the void we all are looking to fill.  The company he kept consisted of those He was training to continue His ministry and those he was reaching out to help in some way.  He wasn’t hanging out with CEO’s and those with earthly importance.  Matthew 25:31-46 states, ““Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Each interaction someone had with Jesus left them changed for the better. Can you say that about someone who has had a conversation with you? Are you even willing to HAVE a conversation with the “least of these”?  Realistically, people don’t need you.  They need the God IN you. Those involved in questionable lifestyles aren’t looking for our ‘preachy’ solutions to their issues. They’re fully aware of what they are doing and the shame that accompanies it. Many are simply looking for love. You don’t have to condone or agree with someone to love them.  I’m not encouraging you to hunt down cheaters and murderers. That could be dangerous. I simply encourage you to keep your eyes open for those God places in your path. There are hurting people all around you in need of a loving Savior. You may not have much to offer in regards to money, jobs, or tangible items……and that’s okay. You can offer them Jesus. The love of God and His message of hope are priceless gifts no one can afford to turn down. God could use that short conversation you have with someone as the turning point in their lives. Are you willing to have dinner with a prostitute?