March 20 in FirstLook

“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1–2). To really understand the significance of Jesus’ message in the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, it is helpful to take a look at the social and religious climate of the time. The Jewish leaders looked disapprovingly on tax collectors, Gentiles, and “sinners” as morally and religiously impure. They did not seek to pursue relationship with these marginalized people, nor did they attempt to introduce them to God. They were lost. This was the
identity given to them. The fact that Jesus welcomed such people into His circle and shared meals with them was unheard of and quite appalling to the Pharisees and teachers.

God had chosen the descendants of Abraham to take the message of who He was to the entire world. It was to be through the example of their relationship with God that other nations would be able to know the one true God. They were blessed to be a blessing to all people. Instead, over time this message was hoarded and kept within the Jewish community—excluding all who fell outside the law. Jesus rebukes the judgmental mutterings of the Pharisees and teachers by telling three different parables with one central point: Jesus came to seek and save the lost—Jews and Gentiles alike. Every person who is not in relationship with God is lost. Every person who is lost matters to God and is worthy of His pursuit for the restoration of relationship with Him.

Today as we look around our world, who are those who may feel spiritually or socially marginalized and unable to have access to God? What is our response?

God wants everyone to be a part of His family.