We Should Too

Daily Reading:  Luke 15

Scripture Focus: This man receives sinners and eats with them. (Luke 15.2)

Devotional Thought: Jesus was often "accused" of being too cozy with sinners.  He did not apologize or rationalize.  Instead, he told three parables that showed God's love toward the sinner...

·       The compassion of a shepherd for his lost sheep.  Not satisfied with the safety of the ninety-nine, the shepherd went in search of the lost sheep.  When he found it, he did not punish it for straying, but carried it back to the flock.  And, not only did he rejoice, he expected his friends to rejoice with him.  Jesus was saying in essence, "Why aren’t you happy that God wants to rescue the wandering sinner?"

·       The persistence of a woman to find her lost coin.  "I know it’s here somewhere," as she kept sweeping and searching.  Sometimes the sinner is still in the house!  That "in-house sinner" is just as lost and just as in need of being found as is the sheep who has wandered off.  In the Church, we tend to write off the "lost coins", but God diligently searches for them.

·       The mercy of a father toward his lost son.  The father didn’t force his son to stay home, nor did he pressure him to come home.  But, when the son was ready to come home, he found his father waiting anxiously, expectantly.  The older son didn’t look at it that way: "He left home, let him stay away."  God, however, is willing – even anxious – to receive the one who has separated himself from "home."  And when that son returns, God - like the father in the parable - rejoices and invites us all to rejoice with him!

Yes!  Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.  We should too.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that when I was a sinner, you received me.  By your Holy Spirit, fill my heart with this same love so that I, too, may receive sinners and welcome them in your name.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 140.1-6

1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,

2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.

3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.

5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!