2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 14-15 GW; Luke 15 GW
Jesus partied with sinners.
Tax collectors and sinners were in Jesus’s audience. Jesus welcomed them with open arms. From short Zacheus (Luke 19:1-10 NIV) to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11 NIV), and everyone in-between, Jesus hung with them all.
“Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Luke 5:31 NIV)
Every one of us struggles with sin. We are the sick who need the doctor; His name is Jesus.
Son of God, His credentials are flawless.
Jesus knew His mission, to bring healing to those who need it. Grace and forgiveness are His salves that make us whole again. As we allow Jesus to cleanse our hearts, we become new. Our sins washed away, our futures full of hope.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar
Becoming more like Jesus means hanging with sinners. One of the most impactful sermons of my life happened in Sharptown, Maryland. Pastor Steve Willing talked about running into an old friend at an event. Whatever he attended was in a hotel. While walking past the hotel lounge, he noticed the gentleman sitting in the bar. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to connect with his friend, he went and sat at the bar with him.
Sharptown is a small community with few secrets. People talk about what they see. In case they didn’t notice, Pastor Willing told them. They witnessed a man of the Lord loving one of God’s children where he found him, in a bar.
Over twenty years have passed since I heard that sermon, but its impact on my life has never left me.
Jesus loved sinners, wherever they were. He sat at the table with them and called them friends. We’re to do the same.
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Praise Jesus; You love sinners because I’m one of them. Forgive us, Lord, for our sins; help us to forgive ourselves. Guide and direct us as we move through our days. Let Your light shine through us as we the bar as he walked past ingle with other sinners here on earth. Give us grace and mercy for everyone we meet. Help us love them well for You. Bless our efforts as we become more like You. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Who is God placing in Your life to love?
