"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 200 - (Today’s Bible readings: Song of Solomon 2:8-3:11; Psalm 18:31-50; Matthew 10:26-42)
JESUS WELCOMES SINNERS
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10-13 ESV)
Jesus welcomes sinners. That’s what today’s lesson is all about. That is great news for this sinner. How about you? Do you thrill to this message as much as I do? Paul describes himself as the worst (chief) of sinners. Every honest man, woman or child must admit the same.
Here is another question: Would your church ever put up a sign like the one pictured here? And even if there is no sign, do visitors hear the clear Gospel message that sinners are welcome in your church? Here is another question: Do you welcome sinners in your life, people who need the forgiveness of Jesus just as desperately as you and I do?
The hymn writer gets at the heart of today’s devotion with these words:
Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin's delusions live
And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve–
Jesus sinners doth receive.
I, a sinner, come to Thee
With a penitent confession;
Savior, mercy show to me
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
(Jesus Sinners Doth Receive, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #609 1 and 4)
Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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