Listen to Devotion

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.”

Jesus drew crowds. Some came to be healed, others came to criticize, but we are told the tax collectors and “sinners,” came just to listen to him. Jesus knew what kind of people they were, yet didn’t put them down. They were lost and knew it. They realized that Jesus had something to give them, something they needed and had probably wanted to find for most of their lives. Word spread about this gift and soon they were all gathering around Jesus.

There was another group watching how Jesus interacted with the “sinners” crowd. They despised both Jesus and the “sinners,” expressing disdain over the fact that Jesus welcomed and even ate with them. “How low can he go,” they must have thought. These Pharisees and law teachers were sure they were in good shape with man and God. They figured they had earned God’s favor by making and keeping the laws they dug out of the Old Testament as well as new laws they added.

To both groups, Jesus reached out with some wonderful stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son (Luke 15:3-32). In each case, someone was looking for the lost one. That someone is God, who is always seeking the lost, which includes everyone. Jesus came to make clear how God is committed to us, not because we are inherently good, but because he is!

He loves all lost people and showed that love by sacrificing his only Son, Jesus Christ. What excitement and hope Jesus gave to the crowd that day! He offered them a place with him in heaven. They understood that the stories were about them. Those who believed in him were found!

God is assuring you of his forgiving love in Jesus. In response, find ways to show and share the love of Jesus with every person he brings into your life.

Dear Father, thank you for finding me and helping me to see how much you love each person. Please use me to share your gospel message. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.