Jesus & the Undesirables

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If Jesus hung out with the undesirable. What does it mean for us as Christians? Did Jesus deal with the difficult or those with callous natures or hardened hearts? The undesirables seemed to be receptive to him. I always have to remind myself salvation for all - wicked and holy alike. It seems the most entertaining of saints are the ones with dirty pasts. Not always, I love St. Gertrude the Great and St. Rose of Lima.
 
CRATUS said:
If Jesus hung out with the undesirable. What does it mean for us as Christians? Did Jesus deal with the difficult or those with callous natures or hardened hearts? The undesirables seemed to be receptive to him. I always have to remind myself salvation for all - wicked and holy alike. It seems the most entertaining of saints are the ones with dirty pasts. Not always, I love St. Gertrude the Great and St. Rose of Lima.
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I think you know the answer.
He dealt with Pharisees, wicked ones, cunning ones, tax collectors, and those who were just flat out whupped by life.
It means he loves us.
I means we are to love others as ourselves.
It’s the entire Gospel message.
Saints overcome their earthly afflictions and spiritual ailments.
Even people like Theresa of Calcutta didn’t have “dirty pasts” as you call them…but that doesn’t mean they didn’t suffer or struggle at times.
It’s about how you react to these things.
Christ reacted to those in need. We are supposed to do that as well, with compassion.
 
We need to accept ALL who call on the Name
of Jesus, whether they are weak or strong Christians,
we need to accept them as our weaker Bro. or sister.
If we do NOT love them, how can we say we
love GOD, whom we have not seen?
 
pianistclare said:
I think you know the answer.
He dealt with Pharisees, wicked ones, cunning ones, tax collectors, and those who were just flat out whupped by life.
It means he loves us.
I means we are to love others as ourselves.
It’s the entire Gospel message.
Saints overcome their earthly afflictions and spiritual ailments.
Even people like Theresa of Calcutta didn’t have “dirty pasts” as you call them…but that doesn’t mean they didn’t suffer or struggle at times.
It’s about how you react to these things.
Christ reacted to those in need. We are supposed to do that as well, with compassion.
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I was thinking along the lines. Do we have to personally seek out those different than us in friendships?
 
CRATUS said:
I was thinking along the lines. Do we have to personally seek out those different than us in friendships?
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NO, it happens organically. Unless you feel moved by the spirit to reach out to someone in need, which can be the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
 
CRATUS said:
I was thinking along the lines. Do we have to personally seek out those different than us in friendships?
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I don’t think we must, but it’s always good to reach out to people that are suffering with their sins and make sure they know that they are loved. If they are not willing to listen, walk away.
 
Isn’t there a saint who would “buy” prostitutes for the night and then talk to her about the gospel? I heard a story like that before. He changed the lives of many hurting women. He was killed due to a misunderstanding though, so I wouldn’t recommend doing that. But it does give you something to think about. If you are going to spread the good news, it would make sense to spread it to a person that needs it the most
 
I echo what other posters have written, but I also see Jesus’ association with undesirables as a warning against arrogance. Who are we to think people are undesirable if Jesus desired to be with them and help them?
 
The trick is to be open minded enough to not implicitly target only the wealthy successful fit middle classes but also the halfway disabled, spotty, smudgy, lonely who don’t do the body language and don’t talk the talk. I’m a great tonic for my protestant friends (though not spotty).

Jesus also made a beeline for Nathaniel, “an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile”.

He didn’t have time for Uriah Heep types (creeps).
 
PolarGuy said:
I echo what other posters have written, but I also see Jesus’ association with undesirables as a warning against arrogance. Who are we to think people are undesirable if Jesus desired to be with them and help them?
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I should not have used the term undesirable
 
Lea101 said:
Isn’t there a saint who would “buy” prostitutes for the night and then talk to her about the gospel? I heard a story like that before. He changed the lives of many hurting women. He was killed due to a misunderstanding though, so I wouldn’t recommend doing that. But it does give you something to think about. If you are going to spread the good news, it would make sense to spread it to a person that needs it the most
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You must be thinking about St. Vitalis of Gaza, He did exactly that and
when one of his Christian Brothers found out he beat him up so badly
that he died from the injuries inflicted, it was only after the prostitute
told what St. Vitalis actually DID that his name was cleared!! He’s the
patron saint of prostitutes and day-laborers, being one himself.
 
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