Do they feel that way about us?

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Good morning everyone,
 
Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship”
 
Our Bible verse for today: “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him – she’s a sinner!” Luke 7:39 (CSB)
 
Our thought for today: “Do they feel that way about us?”
 
In the scene in Luke 7:39, Jesus accepted an invitation to dine in the home of a Pharisee, one of the religious leaders. As they sat at the table eating, a local woman with a bad reputation enters the room and comes to Jesus, crying. She kneels in front of Him, kisses his feet, and anoints them with ointment.
 
It was a tender scene of humility, love, and repentance. The heart of Jesus melted for the woman, but the hardhearted Pharisee was repulsed. Jesus saw a broken woman in need of compassion; the Pharisee saw a sinner who deserved condemnation.
 
There was something about Jesus that caused sinners to flock to Him. Matthew and Zacchaeus, the tax collectors; Mary Magdalene, the demon-possessed woman; the Roman Centurion with the sick servant; this woman; and so many others. They seemed to sense that from Jesus they would receive grace, compassion, and forgiveness.
 
Over-and-over again, in scene after scene, we read of sinners flocking to Jesus – and He shows them grace and compassion as their lives are transformed. And over-and-over again, in scene after scene, we read of judgmental religious people like the Pharisees finding fault with them, and we get the feeling that the people were afraid of them and kept their distance.
 
How about us? Which picture best fits us? Are we kind, gracious, compassionate, and forgiving like Jesus? Are sinners comfortable being with us and do they sense that we are people who love them and want to help? Or, do we come across more like the Pharisee in this passage – hard, critical, and judgmental? Struggling, hurting, wayward people wanted to be with Jesus. Do they want to be with us? If we are His disciples and if we are learning to be more like Him, shouldn’t they feel about us like they felt about Him?
 
There is a story told about the famous Indian religious leader Mahatma Gandhi. This was during the days when the British Empire occupied and ruled over India. Most of the British soldiers and officers professed to be Christians, but they were brutal and cruel to the Indian people. When a reporter asked Gandhi why he and other Indians weren’t more open to becoming Christians he responded, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
 
Sinners were eager to be with Jesus because they knew He loved them and would help them. Do they feel that way about us?
 
God bless,
Pastor Jim
 
(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville
 
 
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