The Good Of The Father (The Rat Life) # 2017

 

Now Jesus, being turned and gazing at them following, is saying to them, "What are you seeking?"  Yet they said to Him, "Rabbi (which, being construed, is termed "teacher"), "Where art Thou remaining?"  He is saying to them, "Come and see."  They came, then, and perceived where He is remaining, and they remain with Him that day, it was about the tenth hour 

Johns Account 1: 38-39, Concordant New Testament 

Jesus was generally interested in the men who were following Him.  He didn't walk away, but turned to greet them.  These men following Jesus were curious as to where He was staying.  He could have simply answered them, but He didn't.  In response, Jesus welcomed them into His life by proclaiming, "Come and see."  This is the same invitation which Jesus gives to all who desire to know about Him.  Come and see.  I was thinking about this the other day after some fellowship with my Gym Rat community.  The words "Come and see" certainly apply to this group of friends.  For over time we have developed a definite fellowship with one another.  My conversations the other day ranged from recent vision tests to a request for prayer for the sale of their parents home.  This is sharing life.  This is the Rat life.  What started out more than a few years ago with interaction with a few people has blossomed into a genuine community centered around Jesus within me interacting with the children of the Father.  This is Jesus speaking and working through me.  Those among us who know not Jesus would probably deny this, but I know the truth of my life in Christ {Johns Account 14:20}.  I believe that this was the intent of those within the mainstream church some years ago when there was a definite push for more faith community based home groups.  I know of more than a few people who increased their friendship circle by being involved in one of these groups.  The message was always the same.  Come and see.  I can't say that I carried the model of these home based groups and applied it to my gym habit, but that is the way it worked out.  Over time, I have developed friendships with over fifty fellow gym goers.  Of course, there are a few core guys with whom I have developed a closer relationship, but I've been blessed with the opportunity to fellowship with this growing community which Christ has gathered together.  This is me following Christs lead and others answering the call to come and see.  

And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured to His disciples, saying, "Wherefore are you eating and drinking with the tribute collectors and sinners?"  And answering, Jesus said to them, "Those who are sound have no need of a physician, but those who have an illness.  I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to repentance" 

Lukes Account 5: 30-32, Concordant New Testament 

In my time that I have been involved in my Gym Rat community, I've also run across some detractors who have questioned my choice of people I fellowship with.  Yes, the Pharisees of Jesus' day used this same trick on Him as well.  They attempted to disparage Jesus over the company which He kept.  After all, wasn't Jesus the Mesiah of the Jewish people?  Hadn't He come to save the nation of Israel?  That is the common misconception of the overall purpose of the life of Jesus.  Yet, when confronted by those Pharisees, Jesus laid out His purpose for all to hear.  "I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to repentance {Lukes Account 5:32}.  Jesus came not only to redeem those who believe, but also those who have never believed in Him {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  There are those who continue to speak to unbelievers burning in a lake of fire for eternity.  This is not what Jesus had in mind.  This is not the ultimate desire of the Father for us.  What the Father has done, through His Son, is to reconnect with His children once again.  When I engage in fellowship with my gym community, Jesus is once again connecting with the children of God through me.  He is not discriminating between the righteous and the sinner.  In the eyes of God, all of His children are in need of Him.  For it is through our interaction with those around us that the world will come to know the truth of our life in Him.  So, to those who question my choice of friends I offer the choice, come and see. 

~Scott~