Wednesday, December 5, 2012

December 5, 2012 Hanging out with the tax collectors and sinners…


Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5: 31

     I don’t know why, but I have always loved this story about Jesus and how he had a place in His heart and time for everyone, even the “tax collectors and sinners.”  I suppose it’s because I figure I’d be one of those types of people (if Jesus walked the earth today) who great religious teachers and leaders of this world might question Jesus about and say, “Why are you hanging out with her? You have more important things to do than love and teach her.”  I love how Jesus always had a ready answer for those who questioned him and what he was doing, and the answer above is one of my favorites.  He didn’t come to help religious people who already knew and believed in God, but He can to bring peace and knowledge of the God who loves them to those who didn’t know or who had turned away from Him.  He came for all of us, and he will come again for all of us, especially the “tax collectors and sinners.”  That’s how much he loves us….doesn’t matter what we’ve done or who we’ve been, all that matters is that he has enough grace to cover all of it, if we will only allow him into our hearts and believe. Thank you, God, for being our Shepard, Healer, Savior, and Friend.  

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