Read Isaiah 42:1-8
I wonder what kind of people we think should be in “church”? What kinds of people, or what groups of people should our church be reaching out to? Sometimes we may be tempted to think that it’s for nice people, good people or well-to-do people that either have or want to get their act together. At other times, conversely, we look at some people or people groups and automatically assume that they need not hear the gospel, or be invited to church. We think that they are beyond salvation for some reason - be it their lifestyle, their manners, their tattoos or even their smell.
But 8 centuries before Christ came on the scene, the prophet Isaiah looked forward to the time when the Suffering Servant of Yahweh would come to bring justice and hope for all the nations. This Servant of the Lord would rescue people. But He came to rescue, not well-to-do people or up and coming people, but rather the blind, the prisoners and those languishing in a dungeon because of their crimes. The Righteous Servant would make a covenant between God and these “no hopers” that the modern day church has all but forgotten.
It’s both a scary and a challenging thought. God doesn’t look at our social status, our income or our education levels. God doesn’t see the outside but the inside. He doesn’t necessarily save those we think are precious and worth saving. God reaches out to the down and out, the needy, the broken and the unlovable.
Think of a group of people that your church generally doesn’t reach and see if you can plan and instigate a short term ministry to bring them a blessing.
Prayer:-
à Uphold in prayer all the true and faithful ministers who choose to preach and live God’s truths, rather than feed on liberal teachings.
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