[Difference Makers] Diverse Dining Sample

Difference Makers Speak With Clarity 

Difference makers dine in diversity while speaking with clarity. There are two parts to this statement. It is amazing to dine in diversity. But it is also important to speak with clarity so that we can step out and make a difference in a great way. 

Jesus and His disciples were dining at Matthew’s house. Notice the diversity of the dining partners of Jesus. The disciples may have been a bit nervous, but they dined with Matthew and the other tax collectors and sinners. And then Jesus did something extraordinary: He spoke clearly. He did not condemn or condone those around Him. 

Jesus did not preach at them the whole time. He came not to condemn, but to save. You and I sometimes can dine in diversity, and we don’t condemn, but we do condone. We act like it is all great and wonderful: “Hey, come on to the table! We all make mistakes. It's okay. It is just great that you are a tax collector. Of course, ripping people off is just part of your job.”

But Jesus didn’t do that. He kept this wonderful balance. The Pharisees could not believe their eyes. They thought that by sitting at the table, Jesus and His disciples turned a blind eye toward sin. They questioned Him. The Pharisees were great at keeping the Law. They condemned those who did not keep it. Many condemn you, but Jesus does not. Neither does He condone.

And how did Jesus respond to the Pharisees? He declared truth to them. He spoke clearly. He said He did not come to seek the righteous—as if the Pharisees were righteous—but sinners. Difference makers speak with clarity. They declare truth. 

All of us, by God’s grace, need to realize that God loves us, no matter where we are or what we have done. Jesus Christ loves you. Jesus loved the disciples, the sinners, the Pharisees, and even the tax collector, Matthew. 

We are still reading about Matthew, aren’t we? His Gospel is the first book of the New Testament. Matthew went on to have a tremendous, earth-shaking ministry. That’s a tax collector who was changed because Jesus spoke with a clarity of love and righteousness. Those things together are powerful: love and righteousness.

Pray: Jesus, help me not to condone or condemn, but instead to speak the truth in clarity, with love and righteousness.