«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’ » (Luke 15: l, 2, NIV).
WHY DID THE PHARISEES and teachers of the law murmur against Jesus? Today’s verse provides the answer for us: because the Lord welcomed sinners.
Without realizing it, when these teachers of the law declared that Jesus welcomed sinners, with their words they stated the mission that brought the Lord to our world: «to call sinners to repentance» (Matthew 9:13). Of course, Jesus did not contradict them. Instead, by telling three parables, he confirmed that God not only welcomes, but also joyfully celebrates, when a sinner decides «to come home,» as the parable of the prodigal son illustrates in an unequalled way.
According to the account in Luke 15, the youngest son claimed his part of the inheritance and left his father’s home. «But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’ » (w. 14—17).
When the wandering son returned home, how did his father welcome him? The story says that «when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him» (v. 20).
Do we realize what takes place in that encounter? His father does not demand an explanation; or reproach him. He hugs and kisses his son who had been lost, without even expecting him to first ask for forgiveness. And then he has a big family celebration. At least this time the Pharisees were right: God welcomes sinners!
Today I want to give thanks because our heavenly Father welcomes us, even though our motivation to seek Him is often selfish. I want to give thanks because He hugs us, even before we ask for forgiveness; and because He has a big celebration when we return home in repentance. Above all, I praise His name for «He is good! For His mercy endures forever» (Psalm 107: l).
Don’t you think it is easy to love Someone who has loved us so much?
Thank You, heavenly Father, because You accept me without reproaching me for the wrongs I have done; and because You love me, even before I ask for forgiveness.
I want to begin this new day by praising You, and asking You to help me live in a way that will glorify Your holy name.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Colaboradores: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
