Listen to Devotion

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

Sometimes people who don’t go to church have a misconception about those people who do: ‘They think they’re better than me.’ If I’m honest, there have been times when I have looked down upon other people because of the train wrecks they’ve made of their lives, and I think to myself, ‘Well, at least I didn’t do that.’ Shame on me for thinking like that. It’s wrong. It’s repulsive. It’s sinful.

But the more I have gotten to know other Christians and the more open they have been about their life stories; I’m met with this reality: Everyone is broken. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. Everyone has moments they wish they could take back because that action anchors their heart with guilt. EVERYONE. I am not an exception to this. And you aren’t either.

And that, my friend, is why we gather around Jesus, because Jesus is the solution to our shame! God wanted to be with his children, but sin separated us from him. So, God sent his Son to dive into this world of broken people and tell us what he was going to do about our sin—he died for it. He gave his life on the cross for us. He loves us and wants us to know that. And THAT is why we go to church—to gather around Jesus, to celebrate the forgiveness that God so freely gives to us.

Maybe you’ve had that misconception about people who go to church, but they’re just like you; they’re broken. However, they have found peace in Jesus and want you to have it too. So, take a chance! Stop into church and you’ll meet some wonderful people who will love you. But even better, you’ll meet your Savior who loves you infinitely more!

Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Bless me as I reach out to those who are hurting and aching because of their guilt. May they come to know the forgiveness that is theirs because of Jesus. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.