Friend of Sinners.
God has spoken to his people
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Bp1lJLcZU
Hosea 14: 1-7
Sinners Jesus will receive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIBqYxeGVzI
Mark 2: 13-17
Come let us sing of a wonderful love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCSx7ZZ3-2I
Philemon 1-16
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Hosea was an interesting character. He ertainly could have been accused of being a dreamer, something he had in common with many of the prophets. He cdan’t be accused of having an easy life. All in his garden was certainly not coming up roses. Hopwever, he looked forward to a time when the people would repent. He hoped that they would change direction towards the Lord and grow the fruit of obedience and repentance. Apparently he was not in any doubt that this would happen, but gives no indication of when, or for that matter, how.
Fast forward about 800 years and Jesus came on the scene. Jesus was a character who had a certain fame, and in some quarters, notoriety. Just as it was then, so it is today. When people have a notoriety, there are always those who try to knock them, and not always for what they do.
Manyu years ago I engaged in correspondence, in the local newspaper, with a journalist who had made a statement I disagreed with. After a few exchanges, the writer changed tack. Apparently he had run out of arguments on the subject in hand, so he chose to attack me personally, and specifically about my competence at my profession.
In Jesu’s case, the people of the time tried to attack him, not on the basis of what he had to say, but the people with whom he associated. Apparently, they considered that he minbgled with “Tax collectors and sinners”, which in turn would make him ritually unclean. We don’t know much about these “sinners”, or what they had done. The tax collectors would have been seen as undesirfeables because they nwere working for the occupying forces, in modern turn they were collaborators. The rest would probably have been people who couldn’t follow the religious rules becausde of their occupations. Others might not have followed the rules by inclination.
It may come as a surprise, but the word “Repent” occurs many fewer times than the word “follow” Jesus says many times that he wants followers.
Once people follow, change will come about. Once people meet with Jesus, they will change. In fact, I cannot think of anywhere that Jesus tells people to change so that they can follow.
People cannot follow unless that first meet, and they cannot meet unless they associate. Jesus met with people where they were. And hence, he was criticised for the people he associated with.
In my career as a preacher spanning 40 years, I cannopt name anyone who has come to faith as a result of my preaching. However, I could name several people who have come to faith and become church members because of sharing a meal within the fellowship.
“Associating with” means not prejudging. Over the years I can recall being asked “Why do you let your children come to church dressed like that?” As a Boys’ Brigade officer, I recall discussions about whether boys should attend parades with long hair, or jewellery. To all these, my answer is the same. “Jesus would rather they were here dressed like that, than not here!”
Jesus looks at what people have done for God, or what they can do for God. People who meet Jesus change.
When do we meet with sinners? To whom do we show the love of Jesus for sinners? How do we give them opportunities ro meet with Jesus, to change, to be valued, to show what they can do for God.
There is a story of a preacher who was concerned that nall his preaching was to the already converted. He wanted to preach to the sinners. One Sunday morning, after the service, there was a commotion in the chapel; a member of the congreation had had their coat stolen. Nearly everyone was upset, except the preacher. His response was to shout “Hallelujah! We’ve had a sinner in at last!” Could we share his joy?
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRajjFaVtj8
Prayers:
God of gentleness and love
Draw near to us as we draw near to you
Dwell in every heart and conversation
Fashion us in the likeness of your Son Jesus Christ
Help us to discern together all that you are calling us to be
And all that you are calling us to do.
Assist us, by your Spirit, to become a more contemplative, more compassionate and more courageous Church
For the building of your kingdom and the glory of your Son
AMEN
God of love,
The sea is so great and our boat is so small.
Inspire your church as we put out into deep water,
Help us to be contemplative, compassionate and courageous in your mission,
Guide us by your Spirit to discover where you are working,
Help us to join in the building of your kingdom
and anoint us afresh to make disciples of all ages in your name
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who calls us and sends us
With you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever.
Amen
taken from st-nicolas-taplow.org
To God be the glory
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