Jesus Welcomed Everyone
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
-- Luke 15:1-2
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you do welcome sinners. Jesus reached out to those others looked down on with contempt. Jesus saw the good in people the religious leaders had forsaken. Jesus offered Himself for everyone.
A young woman attending a Christmas service recently remarked on the stench of a homeless man who sat beside her. She is an honest woman and she admitted struggling not to grimace or change seats. The man had come to join others as they celebrated Jesus' birthday. How could she reject or hurt him in any way? She couldn't.
Other people aren't so kind. Other people aren't so determined to live their faith. They want people to fit into their cookie cutter view of who and what a Christian is. They welcome people like them. They turn a cold shoulder to those who are different -- the hurting, the homeless, the sick, the sinners.
Oh, that's right. We're all sinners. All of us. Some may cover their stench was soap and perfume but the stench is there just the same. Jesus welcomed everyone. What about you?
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