I was recently preaching at a church about this topic of the church reaching out to people of our society, even in the church, considered rejects.

Now this can be a very touchy subject in the church. During my message I shared I’d love to see the sanctuary filled with the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, AIDs victims, and alcoholics. In one of my ministries, I was shocked to learn there was a couple in the congregation who were racists.

Now I did see a fair share of faces who had a wince. I mean without being hypocritical having these people seated among us to hear of the love of God would be a stretch. I wondered how many “members” would leave after such a service with the intent of not returning until things got back to “normal”.

Back in the ’80’s I asked my congregation what we would do if someone known to have AIDs visit us. There was complete silence! Then an awesome Christian woman said, “We’d welcome them like we would anyone else.”

Jesus didn’t avoid rejects, the outcasts. He embraced them. Whether it was lepers, tax collectors, women caught in sin. or the poor and forgotten, Jesus went straight to the people society pushed away. He didn’t just tolerate them; He loved them, healed them, and gave them dignity. His actions were not random; they were a core part of His mission; to seek and save the lost.

This should matter to the church today. It matters because it means no one is beyond God’s reach. It also means if you follow Jesus, you’re called to love like He did, without judgement, without fear, and without holding back.

One of the most powerful themes in the life of Jesus was His relentless love for rejects. He didn’t just notice people society ignored – He walked straight towards them. Jesus made it clear no one is beyond grace.

In the first century, Jewish culture, many people were pushed to the margins.

*Lepers – Viewed as physically unclean and spiritually cursed. (Leviticus 13).

*Tax Collectors – Seen as traitors working for the Roman Empire.

*Prostitutes – Shunned as immoral and impure.

*Samaritans – Ethnically and religiously despised by Jews.

*The Poor and Sick – Thought to be punished by God for their sins.

*Gentiles – Non-Jews were considered unclean and outside God’s covenant.

Here’s where His church needs to follow Him. Jesus didn’t accept the rejects – He pursued them!

Why did Jesus do this? Jesus did not come for the “religiously qualified.” He came for the broken. The lonely. The judged. The excluded.

Here’s what this means for any believer, any congregation. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. Jesus runs toward people others run from.

If you follow Jesus, call Him Lord, you are called to follow His example. That means we can’t ignore the rejects, the outcasts around us. Instead, we;

See People, Not Stereotypes. It’s easy to judge someone on what they have done, how they look, or what others say. But Jesus looked past labels. He saw people – each one created in the image of God.

Listen Before You Speak Too often, rejects are talked about, not talked to. Whether it’s someone experiencing homelessness, addiction, or rejection, start with listening. Ask their name. Hear their story.

Use Your Influence for Others Jesus had power, but He sued it to lift others up. You may not think you have much influence but kindness, compassion, and a willingness to be present can change someone’s life.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40

Here is a good place to start to embrace outcasts.

Volunteer at a local shelter or food bank.

Build genuine friendships with people outside your circle. Break out of your comfort zone.

Stand up against gossip and exclusion. Speak up when others are being shut out.

Give without expecting anything in return. Serve with no strings attached.

Pray for God to open your eyes! Ask Him to show you who needs love today.

At His core, Jesus was a friend to the rejects, the outcast. And He call us, the church, body of believers to do the same thing.

If you’re ever felt like an outsider, hear this; You matter. You’re loved. You belong. Jesus doesn’t wait for you to “get it all together.” He meets you where you are and walks with you toward healing.

And if we the church claim to follow Jesus, then we need to demonstrate love like He did. No exceptions.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34