Good Morning to All,
Luke 15:2; “And the Pharisees and
the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
I am conducting a poll today. If you would be so kind and respond that
would be nice. The question of the day
is: “What is your favorite Bible verse?” I would venture that the most popular are in
this list.
-John 3:16; “For
God so loved the world,
that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal
life.”
-Philippians 4:13; “I can do all
things through him who strengthens me.”
-Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares
the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
-Matthew 28:20b; “And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9; “But
he said to me, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ may rest upon me.”
There are many, many more but I doubt that our verse for today is up
there for anybody. Yet there aren’t many
verses this simple that impact us as much.
“Jesus receives sinners.” You don’t
have to be cleaned up and presentable to come before God. Jesus takes you as you are and brings you
into fellowship and communion with him.
What a wonderful thought.
Remember, the sinners were the outcasts.
They were those who had a troubled and broken life. They were the ones who committed adultery,
had abortions, lusted after someone else, lied, cheated, stole, despised those
around them; in other words, they were human, broken humans.
They were just like you and just like me. Yet Jesus still received them. He took them in and fed them and shared with
them his grace and the greatness of this verse is that Jesus continues to receive
sinners. He continues to receive you and
me.
Through the atonement of Jesus on the cross, you are received by God as
his dear child. You don’t have to be
presentable; God makes you that way. You
don’t (can’t really) have to decide to go to God and make him your God; God
comes to you in the presence of the Child of Bethlehem, in the Words of
Redemption, in the Body and the Blood; God comes to you and receives you just
as you are. Nothing in your past, no sin
you ever committed will keep Jesus from receiving you. Jesus receives you for he loves you beyond
all our measure and understanding.
Dearest Jesus,
no matter how much of a sinner I am, you take me in; you receive me. Just as I am, you take me in. For this I can but only give you thanks. Be with those who feel that they must be left
out. Comfort them by your grace. In your wonderful loving name we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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