ESOCS Devotional 15 October 2022
TEXT: LUKE 15:1-10
MEMORY VERSE: “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The Pharisees are a legalistic group insisting on strict compliance to the law. They regarded sinners as unholy, unworthy and condemnable. They saw them as people no child of God should associate. Their typical attitude to sinners is seen in how they applied the law as in the case of the woman caught in adultery. They saw themselves as the only holy people in town who love God and defend the things of God. For them, sinners are contemptible and should be so treated. Jesus cannot claim to be the Messiah and at the same time be associating with sinners, eating and drinking with them. If you found your Pastor (Elder-in-Charge) or someone who claims or who is regarded as a holy or a righteous man in the midst of fraudsters or in the midst of people of loose virtue, how will you feel? What will you think and how will you portray him in a discussion? The Pharisee did not hesitate to oppose and condemn Jesus for being in the company of sinners, dinning with them.
However, in these parables, Jesus opens our eves to the love of God and right attitude towards sinners. He shows us how much God loves us, not desiring that any sinner should be lost but should be saved. He makes plain that His mission on earth is to seek the lost. That God’s interest in His coming is the salvation of the sinner. The sinner may be unholy, defiled, and unworthy of God and worthy death; but God loves him and does not want the consequences of sin to come upon him. Christ came to save the sinner, bring him into fellowship with God and give him eternal life. Holding the sinner in contempt and the holier than thou attitude will negate this work of salvation.
Those who have enjoyed the grace of God should be instructed and guided by this. Jesus came searching for the lost. He found us to find others. In doing this, we are to learn from Him the redemptive attitude rather than the Pharisee attitude.
QUESTION
- How do you feel when you see people of loose virtue?
- How will you convert a harlot? Write out your strategy for evangelizing
- A harlot
- A drug addict
- An arm robber
PRAYERSLord, we thank you for your love towards man. We realize that without your love, no man has hope of salvation. Teach us heavenly Father to love others as you have loved us. Amen.
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ESOCS Devotional 15 October 2022
