Reflecting on Luke 15:1-2“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:2)
This line not only describes Jesus, it describes God.
God welcomes sinners and eats with them – this is what Jesus shows us.
These religious leaders show us what God is NOT like.
As they see it, sinners should be avoided and punished, only they should we welcomed!
Afterall, they are not like ‘those sinners’ (see Luke 18:9-11).
God does not ignore sin; God hates sin, and what it does to us.
But God does not avoid or punish us because of sin; God comes to us.
God steps into the world with sinners, welcomes them and eats with them.
The purpose is to help them see the opposite of sin, and draw them back to love.
God uses grace and compassion to save sinners, not judgment and rejection.
This accusation should be one of the marks of the true church.
It reveals those who know the meaning of grace, and those who don’t.
Graced sinners will use grace and compassion to save sinners too.
“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” (John 14:7)
This God welcomes sinners and eats with them… including me.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You have shown me what God is like. You also show me what how I am to be as Your follower. Freely you have graced me, help me to freely grace others!