Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 15:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 15Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. Verse 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." Verse 3So he told them this parable: Verse 4"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? Verse 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. Verse 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Verse 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Verse 8"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? Verse 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Verse 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Devotion
Jesus told these parables because the Pharisees grumbled that he was eating with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees likely would have been delighted if Jesus had changed the tax collectors and sinners to be good, upright people like them. They wanted the sinners to repent and then be deemed worthy. They were willing to welcome them, but not as they were.
Sometimes, in the church, we, too, find it difficult to welcome people as they are. What would our churches look like if we extended a warm welcome to all? A number of years ago I attended a seminar at Disneyland. At the seminar, Disneyland employees told us that, no matter what job they held, all were asked to take time from their assigned tasks in order to make a “magic moment” for their guests. That meant that, welcoming people and helping them with whatever they need, whether it was part of their job description or not.
Disneyland employees welcome guests to the Magic Kingdom. How can we, the church, welcome people to God’s Kingdom? We are called to welcome people as they are. By extending that hospitality, we embody God’s love, a love that seeks and saves the lost.
Prayer
Most gracious God, thank you for the opportunities we have to share your love with people who have not yet heard of you. Help us to reach out to others, especially those who are different from us so that they may experience your love and care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.