One of the things we have noted in our study of the gospel of Luke is that everyone mattered to Jesus. He took notice of those who were marginalized and ignored by society, and He accepted those who were cast out and rejected by the religious leaders of His day.

Children: “Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God’” (Luke 18:15-16).

A Poor Widow: “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all’” (Luke 21:1-3).

Lepers: “And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:12-13).

Tax Collectors and Sinners: “Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, ‘Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick’” (Luke 5:29-31).

Two lessons we can quickly draw from these observations: First, if everyone matters to Jesus – that means you matter to Jesus. He died on the cross for you and wants to save your soul. Second, if everyone matters to Jesus – that means everyone should matter to me. Am I willing to notice, value, and care about those who are otherwise cast aside by the world?