Matthew 9:9-10
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.
Matthew was a tax collector which means, to put it lightly, he was not well-liked by anyone. He was probably a cheater, a traitor, and an extortionist. But Jesus loves Matthew and calls him to be his disciple. One of the first things Matthew does as a follower of Jesus is throw a party! Matthew wants his fellow disliked friends and business associates to meet Jesus. Jesus’s heart is for all people.
What’s the first thing you did when you became a believer? Are there any people you excluded based upon their lifestyle or reputation? How can you be like Matthew and invite them to meet Jesus? There are no categories of people, there is just people. Pray and ask God to help your heart stay soft for all people.