He Doesn’t Play By The Rules

Speed Limit 55.' 'No Smoking.' 'Stand on the Right -- Walk on the Left.' 'Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.' 'Don't put your elbows on the table.' 'Littering Prohibited.' 'Never on Sunday.' 'Don't end a sentence with a preposition.' 'Play the national anthem before the beginning of the game.' We think ourselves free, yet we are surrounded by rules.

Have you ever noticed how every time Jesus' followers began making rules (no children near Jesus, don't let the crowd get too close to Jesus, don't let people waste expensive perfume), Jesus intervened. I can hear him saying, "Back off! You still don't understand! How many times do I have to tell you what matters most? My message is plain and simple: Follow me."

And now where does that message come through clearer than in his encounters with two tax collectors as once again he breaks with social and religious norms in order to connect with those that were searching for meaning to their lives.

Would Jesus fit into your church? That's a good question since he doesn't play by the rules.

Join us as we explore this question in the context of Jesus' encounter with two tax collectors.