Luke 15 - 9.15.25
Scripture
Luke 15:1-2 NIV
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””
Observation
In this passage, Jesus is found teaching large crowds of people. Amongst the crowd were tax collectors and notorious sinners listening to Jesus’ teachings. This made the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law uneasy. How could Jesus associate with such sinful people? Why would Jesus even want to sit down and break bread with them? Jesus knew the Pharisees and religious leaders’ thoughts, so he told them 3 parables to help them better understand God’s unconditional love for all and His desire for all to repent from their sinful ways and turn to Him.
Application
God’s love is for everyone.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”-John 3:16
Did you catch that? God loves everyone-(the whole world)! His free gift of salvation is for anyone who believes and puts their faith in Him.
You know, we could bad mouth the Pharisees and the religious leaders in this passage all we want. But if we’re honest with ourselves, how many of us can sometimes do the same thing? I know I can be guilty of it. We see a dirty, homeless person on the street. We may cross to the other side of the street to avoid contact. Or you see a guy with all these tattoos and piercings over his body, and you’re already disqualifying him from hearing the Good News because you think, “He’s not into that. He’ll probably yell at me and tell me to go away.” The point is that sometimes we can be too comfortable hanging out with “our own kind of people.” We only want to share the Good News with people who look “safe”, who look polite. We will automatically disqualify people from hearing the Good News about Jesus because they don’t look or dress a certain way. This passage reminds me exactly that the gospel message is for everyone. That Jesus came to this earth, and did what He did, not just for the rich and educated, but for the poor and needy. Jesus didn’t create social boundaries between Himself and others. He went out into the world and taught, touched, healed, and loved EVERYONE He came in contact with. Jesus’ attitude and actions towards others inspire me, and hopefully inspire us all, to go out there and do the same.
Prayer
Father God, forgive me for “playing it safe”, and holding onto Your gospel message to only certain people. Forgive me for pre-judging and disqualifying others from hearing Your message before even trying. I know You came for all. I know You died for all. And I know You love us all. Help me to share Your message with all. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi