September 12 - Eating with Sinners

Today's Reading: 
Genesis 24:52-26:16
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 9:7-12 
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Focus Verses: 
Luke 5:29-32
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Insight:
Jesus was on a mission to restore and renew sinners. He spent time in the company of people who needed hope and recovery. Relationship is at the heart of redemption. A doctor cannot administer healing care without getting close to the patient. The way of Christ is not to pull away from sinners, but rather to pull sinners away from sin.

Response and Action:
I am so thankful for Jesus' saving mission toward me. I will take hold of the renewal and restoration he came to give. I will respond to Christ's call by repenting of my sin and pursuing righteousness. I will join Jesus in his redemptive mission toward sinners. I will reach out and build relationships with others in order help them find healing and hope in Christ.

O Lord, thank you for your mercy toward me--a sinner. Thank you for coming to me as I was and as I am, because you have a vision for what I can be. Your love and mercy are life to me. In the saving name of Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 Timothy 1:14-16
14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Resources:
Eats with Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did
by Aaron Chambers