Only 'Sinners' are welcome....

Luke 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. "Follow me," he said to him. 28 And he got up and followed him, leaving everything behind. 29 Then a Levi gave a great banquet in his house for Jesus, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their experts in the law complained to his disciples, saying,"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered them,"Those who are well don't need a physician, but those who are sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus was not picky about the company he kept. He made friends with a range of people - from the holy teacher Nicodemus to this "sinner" Levi.

Because of this I have confidence to believe that I too will be welcomed. And because of this I am challenged to be as welcoming of people - irrespective of their class, culture or religious standing.

For Thought

“Whosoever will!” the promise is secure;
“Whosoever will,” forever must endure;
“Whosoever will!” ’tis life forevermore;
  “Whosoever will may come.”

            “Whosoever will! whosoever will!”
            Send the proclamation over vale and hill;
            ’Tis a loving Father calls the wand’rer home:
              “Whosoever will may come!”

Ordinary 21

43 Jesus is the Way

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 266.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.