Re:Verse reading–Luke 15:1-2; 11-32 (day one)
“This man receives sinners and eats with them.”–v 2.
I would probably have been uncomfortable. You? Jesus received sinners. Ate with them. Didn’t that blur the line of moral certainty? Communicate acceptance or approval?
Why would He do it? Great question!
In three brilliant stories Jesus provides the answer. Lost sheep. Lost coin. Waiting Father. The bottom line of each is the same. Joy!
The reason that Jesus ate with sinners is rooted in the nature and purpose of God. Heaven rejoices over repentance. Even a single case! The great purpose of God is evangelism and rescue and repentance and restoration. Nothing makes Him happier.
To aim for your own happiness is one kind of life. To aim for the joy of the Father is another. “Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”–2 Corinthians 5:9. And the way we do it is evangelism.
“Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing Him.”~ 2 Corinthians 5:9; and “The great purpose of God is evangelism and rescue, and repentance, and restoration.”~ Don Guthrie
Jesus did exactly what God wanted for Him to do. He performed evangelism, rescued, forgave the unnamed woman sinner’s sins and restored her soul by proclaiming peace to her. She came to Jesus to receive these blessings. Wherever Jesus is, sins will be forgiven and a life will be transformed for God’s sake!
Will we be willing to go out of our comfort zones to help those who come to us without allowing our biases and prejudices to govern our thoughts and actions? Do we know our own darkness? Do we need forgiveness? I am reminded of this quote:
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.
~ ~Carl Jung
We all are sinners in God’s eyes but humans and each society decide which sins can or cannot be tolerated. We, humans, grant judgement and penalty on sins they cannot accept based on their cultural and society rules, norms and values. We, humans, often forget that God is the judge of all and His purpose is to save those who are lost and vulnerable in this world.
We don’t see or hear enough about good efforts to intervene early on to help rescue a person from darkness to light, from desperation to hope, from disappointment to joy, from dissatisfaction to happiness. It does not mean that humans are not helping and lifting other human beings, we just don’t know enough or hear often but we only hear when someone is convicted of some criminal or moral offenses. I thought what would happen to one’s conscience if he or she had the opportunity to convert the convicted but did not take the opportunity to help that person to get out of darkness.
The unnamed woman sinner is a great example for us to remember that our prejudices and biases can be a hindrance to our willingness to open up to those who want to get out of darkness, to follow light and to turn to God’s way!
Everyone is or may be fighting a battle we may not know about, but we always can sense when someone is in desperate need for a changing heart or a new beginning. We, Christians, must model the life we advocate if we want to influence others to follow Jesus. Nonbelievers or weak believers are watching us!!
Know our darkness and spread God’s love can help move people out of Satan’s influences and live God’s way. Prejudices and biases divide. Love unites. Pride and egoism divide. Humility unites.
It is an ambitious goal to change the world to follow God’s way and to fulfill His will for mankind. But I am sure each of us will be happy to have the opportunity that is and might be coming our way, at home or away, to help transform one’s heart and life, one by one, little by little. Walk in faith and empowerment!
I am reminded of the following quote:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.~~ Martin Luther King
Open up our heart and help lift up those who want to get out of darkness to light. God’s salvation is for all who repent and will repent. The world will experience peace and joy when we all can and commit to live God’s way and are able to influence others to follow our steps and live God’s way.
The world is in deep darkness and in a confusion status between Satan and God. Definitely, it is in deep need for God’s grace, forgiveness and restoration. We, Christians, should be united and not turn away for helping others, at home or away, who want to seek God. With God and through Jesus and His teachings, we can make a difference for ourselves, for those we love and care about, and for others!
A little love and care, and inclusion, it will go a long way. Joy, peace and harmony will spread and fill the earth. God’s purpose for the earth will be fulfilled. Are you anxious for that day. I am optimistic. I am convinced!