Strong spirits: sinners for dinner?
As a sinner myself, that makes me feel pretty good!
Who do you normally invite to any dinner that you have or party that you throw? Would that change if you were inviting Jesus as well?
In Luke's account of Jesus' life, he tells the story of Levi, a tax collector, who Jesus called to be a disciple. Tax collectors were much hated because they took money from the Jews for the much-hated Romans. To show his delight in being called to be a disciple of Jesus, Levi threw a big dinner party for all his friends to meet Jesus.
When the religious leaders found out, they asked Jesus why he was dining with tax collectors and other "sinners." A fair question if you're a religious sort. Jesus replied, "It's not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31,32)
I don't know about you, but, as a sinner myself, that makes me feel pretty good! What isn't said, but is implied, is that these religious leaders were also in need of repentance and forgiveness. So am I, and so are you.
What good news! The Lord of all creation steps down, becomes one of us, and, rather than judging or condemning us, comes to our homes, accepts our invitations, and offers us forgiveness and freedom, at his expense.
Who's coming to your next party? Why not invite Jesus, too!
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
