May 28 Glorious Grace

Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
 
WHAT truth you speak Mr. Pharisees! Aren’t you glad the Lord of Hosts, the King of Kings welcomes sinners and eats with them? How else would you be in his presence? In what manner would the world exist if our God did not graciously come to earth to welcome sinners and sit down to eat with us?
    How glorious, how praiseworthy is our Lord! This is cause to, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (1 Chronicles 16:23). God’s welcoming love is the reason we can pray, “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (Psalms 72:18-19) Because, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” we celebrate the truth of Ephesians 2:3-5 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. 
    Let’s pray we are not as the Pharisees, who pointed to others as “sinners”. Let’s, instead, recognize our own sin and then point to our Savior to say, “Thank you for your gracious love, oh Lord.” Let’s love other “sinners” as he loves us. Recognize God’s gracious love for you. Rejoice in his saving love for all who confess, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)
 
Prayer: “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Psalms 36:7-9) Amen.