What comes to mind when you hear the word outcast? Do you think of that “weird person”, the one who no one likes? How about those cry-inducing animal shelter commercials about helpless abandoned puppies? Maybe you feel like an outcast, and that you don’t belong anywhere.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an outcast as: ‘one that is cast out or refused acceptance (as by society).’ No doubt about it, in a society where “image is everything,” and it’s all about what you can bring to the table, there’s a whole lot of outcasts. But here’s the good news, my friends: Jesus didn’t just come for the people who have it all together. He came for the people that no one else would go near! Let’s look at some of the people he reached out to.
1. A Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)
Roman centurions were sort of the bad guys in ancient Israel. They were known for using their power as soldiers to abuse and hurt the Israelites. Jesus didn’t care. When this centurion came to him with faith, Jesus healed his servant.
2. A blind beggar (John 9:1-6)
When others looked at this blind man, they could only see brokenness. Jesus’ disciples even asked Jesus how this man and his parents had sinned, causing the blindness. Jesus only saw a man in need. He reached out and touched him- when no one else would, and healed him.
3. A Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-29)
Besides the Romans, Samaritans were on the top of Israel’s Most Disliked list. Plus, men didn’t regularly associate with women back in Jesus’ day. To top it all off, this Samaritan woman had made some bad decisions and had a bad reputation. Surely Jesus wouldn’t notice her- but he did. As a result, the woman’s whole town got to hear the gospel!
Here’s the good news for you today. From these stories, we see that Jesus doesn’t play favorites. He doesn’t just choose the popular people- he chooses those with faith. Whether that’s a Roman centurion, a blind beggar, a Samaritan woman, a zealot, lepers, tax collectors, or that person in your school who doesn’t have any friends. He loves us all!
Journaling Prompt:
For those who feel like outcasts: How does knowing Jesus cares about you make a difference in the way you live?
For those who know an outcast: How is Jesus calling you to reach out to the overlooked in your life during Lent this year?
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