Lent 4 - Facing Life with Jesus –Facing a Forgiving God
What kind of company do you keep? Can you follow Jesus in
keeping bad company?
Is there any inherent danger if you should travel around in
the “wrong crowd”? Why is it that parents want to know where their children are? And with whom they are associate? Could it be? That they are simply heeding the advice of
St. Paul? Who reminds us that, “Bad company ruins good morals”?
Now the religious elite. Refused to associate with certain
kinds and classes of people. As they criticized Jesus. When He openly associated with. And freely ate with those considered the
“sinners”. How aught you associate with
the so called “dirties” of this world? Jesus has given us the proper example. Of what kind of company we should keep. Together, we face a forgiving God in our
daily walk with the Savior.
1. Sinners are Bad Company.
Jesus openly associated. Mingled.
And socialized with the known dregs of His day. They were the outcastes
of society. The ones no one else wanted to associate. Who were they? They
included tax collectors. Who made
themselves rich. By demanding exorbitant taxes. They included women. Who sold
their bodies.
To satisfy the sexual lust of their customers. These were
people. Who told dirty stories. And used
profane language.
Today. There are the Charles Manson’s. The Putin’s and Orban’s
of the world. The list is endless! These people are not necessarily anti-God.
Anti-church. And anti-decency. They are also those who choose to remain
indifferent. They do not stand in opposition. They remain silent. They are apathetic
uninterested. Are you to associate with
these types of people?
No, you do not take upon their habits and beliefs. You live
in this world. Nevertheless, you are
called out of this world. Your calling
does not mean that you are to disassociate with these people. They too need the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Who desires all
to be saved. Who desires all to come to Him.
For salvation and life. These people are in need of a connection.
2. Sinners need
repentance.
Jesus associated with sinners. Not because He approved of
their way of life. He associated with them. Not because He accepted their
behavior. Not because He approved of their lifestyle. He associated with them. Because He desired that, they come to Him.
For reconciliation. For salvation and
life.
Jesus knew that these people needed Him. They needed
friendship. And understanding. He went to them for a purpose. A divine purpose. And that was to lead them to repentance and a
new life. He went to them. And searched
them out. To show them a better way to live. As He said, ‘I did not come for those who were well but for those in need of a
physician.”
Jesus did not. And nor
should we. Go to them to become one of them. Yet we need to be present. To
listen.
But we must not to bury our heads in the sand and pretend
that there are not people in need of the Savior’s help.
Jesus came in time and space Christ came into this world. To
call sinners unto Himself. And that is why He actively sought them. He gives
you what you really need. He exchanges His life of holiness for your life of
sin. And in a great exchange offers you forgiveness and life.
Today’s church to go to the worst. To the prisons. To the
criminals. To the anti-God people of this earth. If the church does not go who
will reach them? Our mission to the world should discriminate against no one. And
yet reach out to the highways and by-ways. And compel all to come in.
3. Sinners are wanted.
The gospel story of the waiting father reminds you that have
a heavenly Father. Who yearns. Longs. And
waits for the sinner to come home. There will always be a warm welcome waiting.
When one returns. There will be no questions asked. There will be no scolding.
– Only the joy of reconciliation. Still, the Father continues to show mercy.
With which son do you identify? Both show contempt. Remember.
Jesus spoke this parable. Directing it at those who took umbrage with Jesus’
compassion for sinners. Those who took issue with Jesus
Both sons. Are begrudging of the Father’s mercy. The younger
sons demanded his inheritance. “You’re
dead to me!” he reasoned. Still, he demanded payment! “Treat me like a hireling! Because that’s how you’ve always treated me.”
The older son. He’s angry. That the Father is always moved
with compassion. He does not consider his Father’s benevolence. “I’ve worked for you these many years and
you’ve never recognized my worth! I’m a slaved to you.”
Both boys could legitimately become the standard bears of our
current culture. A climate of moral freedom; the belief that life is best when
each individual finds his or her own morality—inevitable in a society that
insists on individual freedom. Contained within it a core assumption: If
everybody does their own thing, then everything will work out for everybody.[3]
Moved with sympathy the waiting Father reaches out to both boys. He loves them both. In spite of their independence and their cruel hearted replies. This is precisely how the Father has received you. This is His motive in winning the world. And this will be His reception of all who come to Him in repentance. Seeking His pardon and grace.
There’s a dance party in heaven. Every time a sinner repents.
In the open, yet nail scared hands of the wounded Savior. You
will find forgiveness and life. The Father waits. For you to come to Him in
repentance.
The eldest son. Did he join the celebration? Or did he not? Even
more compelling. How about you. Do you enter? Or do you not?
You have received the tender mercies of Jesus. Now go out
into you world of influence as a witness. To friends, neighbors, family, colleagues.
Compelling all to come to Him. No matter
what the past. It shall be forgiven. And
forgotten. That is the mercy. Compassion. And pardon. Which the Savior has
promised.
The Father receives sinners unto Himself. Proclaim that
message today. As we face life with Jesus. Facing a forgiving God. Who receives
sinners unto Himself.
Passive Sentences – 2%
Readability –77.8 %
Reading Level- 4.1
[1] Schnorr
Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Waiting Father’© WELS permission granted for
personal and congregational use
[2] Collect
for Lent 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
[3] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/collapsing-levels-trust-are-devastating-america/616581/
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