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PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP – WHO DO YOU RECEIVE?
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
Luke 15:1-7

Memory verse: Luke 15:1-2

 

“Then drew near unto him
all the publicans and sinners

for to hear him.”

 

PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP – WHO DO YOU RECEIVE?
 
Jesus was a magnet to publicans and sinners. They were regarded by many in Jewish society, especially in the eyes of the spiritual elite, as scum. The publicans were tax collectors who served the Romans. They were given special privileges and powers as their personal benefits or else they would not serve. These materialistic benefits included the right to enforce new types of taxes on the Jewish people. For example, if the Romans only demanded that those who owned a four-wheel cart be taxed, the publican included those with three or two wheels as well. The money collected from the tax on the four-wheelers would be given to the Romans, but the publicans would keep the tax collected for the three and two-wheelers. In this way, the publicans accepted the ostracism and hatred of their fellow Jews because they could live in luxury or at least, a very comfortable life. Sinners refer to those who live in sin openly, like harlots, or who might have committed a crime and been jailed, like thieves and robbers.
 
No religious person would associate with them, for that would show that they accept and approve of their sin, and perhaps were like them by association. But these “rejects” of society came to hear Jesus, and Jesus received them.
 
The religious leaders saw what had happened and murmured among themselves (Luke 15:2). Not only did they frown on Christ’s association with these people, they also insinuated that He lacked discernment and did not recognise that what He had done was spiritually unclean and very wrong. Eating with someone in the time of Christ implied receiving him into your life as a family member or at least a close friend. Did Christ not know that they were the rejects of Jewish society and had to be ostracised?
 
Who do you receive into your life? Who are your friends? They define who you really are! All sinners need to know Christ. Reach out to all without discrimination. You must share readily and willingly if they come to you and desire to know Christ. Friend or foe, no believer must desire any sinner to die in sin and be cast into hell.
 
THOUGHT: Do I have a prejudice when sharing the Gospel?
PRAYER: Father, save me to share the Gospel with all without prejudice as the Holy Spirit leads and directs.

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