Jesus loves you, this I know

Thinking about Mathew this morning. You know he was a tax collector and not just any tax collector. He was a public tax collector. The tax collectors had free reign to tax a man for just about anything during Christ time on earth and what made it worse, they were usually Jews. It's hard to see your fellowman being someone you despise, yet he was the very first one that Christ called to be a disciple. Jesus saw something in Mathew that he could use. He saw determination and dedication. Mathew, as rotten as he was also saw something in Jesus. He saw the hope that he could have peace in this life, the love that he longed for, because no matter what his life was like on the outside, there was the man that nobody truly knew that needed to be loved, needed to be wanted, needed joy and peace in his life. He never hesitated when Jesus spoke to him, he dropped it all and followed him. He never looked backed and became one of the greatest disciples. Have you ever wondered why the book of Mathew starts with giving us the genealogy of Christ. I believe Christ wanted the world to know that we all have people like Mathew hiding in our family closets. The harlot, Rahab was his grandma and King David, was an adulterer and a murderer, but that did not stop Mathew from listing them in Christ's lineage. I believe Christ wanted the world to know that he too had family that was not perfect. Christ did not come to suffer and die for perfect people. He came to seek and to save those that are lost! He came for that drunkard, that pill addict and that harlot standing on the street corner. If we were all perfect then his death would have been in vain. Mathew is a perfect example of what Christ can do for those that believe they are so far gone that nothing can save them. He was hated by all who saw him coming, but yet Christ loved him and changed his heart. He will do the same for you. All you have to do is call upon his name. He is always ready to welcome you into his arms. Is it always easy, no it's not. Is it always worth it, absolutely. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ will be the best decision you ever make in your life. I have never met a Christian that regretted knowing Christ, I have never met someone that had walked away from him that didn't want to find their way back and I have never met a sinner that he would not love and forgive! Jesus Loves you, this I know!