January 5, 2017: SOAP #2590:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Observation:   Jesus was recognized as a religious man.  He was a teacher who taught the ways of God.  He knew the scriptures.  So why did He eat with people who were obviously sinners?   The religious people of His day could not figure Him out.    But Jesus knew His purpose.  He was on a mission.  He had come to heal the physically and spiritually sick.  He had come to call sinners to repentance and into a relationship with God.  Interacting with sinners was a primary purpose of His ministry.

Application:   As a Christian it is easy to get focused on ministry to other Christians.  But if Leon wants to be like Jesus, being around sinners and interacting with unbelievers must be a priority.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of my Heavenly Father’s priorities He has set in my life.  Help me recognize and seize every opportunity to interact with the unbelievers around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!