Psalm 36:7
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Do you ever feel alone? Do you ever feel like you don’t belong? Maybe you have some friends that have stopped spending time with you or ignore you and you don’t know why. Maybe your family has pushed you out and you don’t feel safe or welcomed in your own home. Maybe you’re the only believer in your friend group or family and you just feel different compared to others. Maybe you look a little different than other kids or have been called weird. Maybe you’re not doing well in school and you feel ashamed because there are so many high expectations.
There are so many things that can make you feel like an outcast. Even now, the world we live in is so easily shaming and looking down upon people because of what they say or do.
There is good news though. Are you ready for it?
Jesus chooses to love us, even when others don’t.
There are so many stories all throughout the Bible where people deem others as “different” or “not worthy” or “weird” or “sick” or even “evil” and God simply looks at them and draws near to them with love and kindness. Jesus loves the outcast.
If you’ve experienced anything like that, then take heart.
The Gospel of Luke is unique among the other gospels in that it places a special emphasis on Jesus as a friend of the outcasts. Luke provides us with numerous examples of people who have been shunned and despised by others.
These were lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes and others sinners, or had found themselves in their situation through no fault of their own. They also included the poor, the lame and afflicted, widows who had lost their social standing. All of these were seen as failures or rejects by society and not worthy of inclusion or attention.
Here are some stories you can read that might just show you how much Jesus loves the outcast:
The Leper – Luke 5: 12-16
The Paralytic – Luke 5:17-26
Levi the Tax Collector – Luke 5:27-32
The Sinful Woman – Luke 7:36-50
“Legion” the Demoniac – Luke 8:26-39
The Lost Son – Luke 15:11-32
Have you ever felt like an outcast in any way? Take time to truly pray and draw near to God. He loves and cares for you, no matter where you stand in the eyes of the world.