Love Sees The Potential

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom and he saith to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him Matthew 9:9.

Jesus works against the odds. He has the ability to look beyond the present, and see things that others would never consider possible. That is what happened when Jesus called Matthew. He did not see Matthew as a thief and an outcast. Instead, He saw what Matthew could accomplish for the Kingdom of God. And whatever Jesus saw in Matthew was so special, that He said, "I’m going to go and get him".

I struggle sometimes in my own life because I forget that the odds don’t matter to God. God loves us so much that He sees the potential in us more than the rough edges. When a couple gets married, the ring represents the potential that couple has to build a beautiful life together. If they love each other enough to work through the present struggles, then they will enjoy the rewards that only true commitment can bring.

Potential speaks of the capability of something that is not yet in existence; something that must be developed. Like a diamond that spends hundreds of years deep beneath the surface of the earth. To the inexperienced eye, it is nothing but a black hard piece of rock. But in the hands of the craftsman, it becomes a precious stone for a future bride.

When it comes to people, potential speaks of the endless possibilities that only Jesus can see in the lives of the unlikely. Only Jesus can take a sin torn life, rearrange the pieces, and end up with a new creation.

Everybody knew Matthew because of his occupation. When Jesus met Matthew, He called him "Levi", which was a priestly name. Yet he was definitely not a priest at the time. A tax collector is light years away from a priest. But Jesus saw the potential, and did not hesitate to choose Matthew. It wasn’t what he was doing at the time, but what he would become. With a little work and a little love, Jesus can wonders in the lives of any person. No one is beyond the reach of the hands of the Master Craftsman.

Jesus said two words, "Follow me". That’s the shortest sermon on record. But Matthew’s life was impacted in a powerful and dynamic way. He was never the same again. The Amplified Bible says that Levi jumped to his feet and went along Mark 2:14. There was no hesitation, no waiting, no internal struggle or tarrying. Jesus talked for a while with the woman at the well. He spent an evening with Nicodemus and blinded Paul. But not Matthew. His response was immediate and public. You see, when you are ready for a change, it doesn’t take long. Some people have to be pumped up. Others have to feel something physical. But all Matthew needed to hear was the Word from Jesus Himself, and he was convicted.

"Follow Me". Can you hear Jesus uttering those words to your heart today? Jesus helped people while Matthew hurt them. Jesus gave to people while Matthew took from them. Perhaps you have hurt others and taken away their hopes and dreams. You can do like Matthew did; leave everything and follow Jesus. When Matthew left that tax booth, he was done with it forever. No more cheating. The burden was lifted. I can hear Matthew shouting, "Bye, bye Rome. Bye, bye black money. Bye, bye partying and fast life. I’m going with Jesus." Matthew’s associates probably thought he was crazy for giving up his career. If I have to lose my life to find it, then so be it. I may be crazy, but I’ve got peace and joy in my life. I may be crazy, but I’ve got a happy home. I may be crazy, but I am free to be all that God desires me to be.

After Matthew got saved, he gave Jesus a big feast at his house. He invited a lot of tax collectors and sinners. This would hardly qualify as a religious gathering by our standards. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there Matthew 18:20 MSG. What do you think motivated Jesus to be there in the midst of all those sinners? He saw the potential. All the religious leaders saw were "publicans and sinners". But Jesus saw apostles, bishops, elders, teachers, choirs..., ..., ...

Jesus loves people so much. And when you sincerely love people, you will always see the positive in them. That is why God always chooses to show mercy when we deserve much worse. Love has a profound effect of the life of sinners. They already feel bad about the life they are living. They need someone to help them see some worth in them. But it is impossible to see the good in a bad person unless we love them. Love sees the potential. If all we saw in Matthew were a "publican", we would have missed an awesome spiritual giant capable of writing timeless truths.

Loving a person is the only way to see a person honestly. Jesus knew all about Matthew’s past, his corrupt and distorted deeds, and his bad reputation. He loved him anyway, and he kept loving him right into the kingdom of God.

God knows every hidden motive in our lives as well. He knows our doubts and failures. He hears our secret gossip. He sees both of our faces; the Sunday church face and the Monday through Saturday face. He knows the person we are in the public, and the dramatic change that takes place when we get behind closed doors. He sees it all, yet He loves us anyway. My wife Lindia knows my good points and bad points. Therefore when she says that she loves me, she speaks with sincerity. If she only knew the good side, she would have a one sided love. She sticks with me because her love can see the potential.

When Jesus chose His disciples, they weren’t too swift. But they had potential. That is the way God works. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. God takes nothing and makes something out of it. He can take a worthless nobody, and love him into a priceless somebody. No matter how long drugs, greed and selfishness have polluted a life; Jesus can clean them up and make them shine like new. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Every one of us has flaws that we need to work on. Some of us may have to look a little closer because we have lied to ourselves for so long, we may not recognize that our rationalization is actually iniquity. God sees beyond all of that to the finished product. The worse kind of people felt comfortable around Jesus. They knew He had what they needed most; someone to love, forgive, understand and see their potential.

When Jesus saw all those sinners, He got excited. We get nervous. As long as we are in church, we’re all right. We know the order of service and all the songs. But we may cut ourselves off from the people who need us the most. Why not give a church party and invite sinners? Jesus will show up for sure. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance Matthew 9:13.