Sick of Religion? Week 3: Devotional Day 7

Sick of Religion? Week 3: Devotional Day 7

DAY 7 – Sunday

Daily devotional

Read

Mark 2:17; Luke 7:11-15; Matt 12:20

Ask

Who did Jesus come for?

Reflect

There is a little story in Luke 7. Jesus is walking towards this town, and coming out of the town is a funeral procession. The scripture says that a young man has died, his mom is there, she is crying, and she is a widow. This is what happens: When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her. (Isn’t that just like Jesus?) He said, “don’t cry.” Then Jesus went up and touched the coffin they were carrying him on; the bearers stood still, and he commanded the young man to get up. The dead man sat up and began to talk. He was restored to his mom. In one encounter with Jesus, the life of this widow and mother was changed—and there was new life in her son!

Jesus had a way with people because he dearly loved them. He didn’t love them for what they could give in return; he loved them because they were children of God. Even on the cross, Jesus gave one last invitation…made one last relationship with a condemned thief who was dying next to him.

What did I learn about Jesus from these few verses we studied over this week? I believe his favorite place would be out there with the unwanted, the least, the lost, and to everyone we might reject.

What do we do with this Jesus who kept company with the unwanted and undesirables? I think we need to embrace our own brokenness and in turn recognize others. We are all broken. If we get straight with that we can see our need for Christ in every moment of our lives. We are the people who need restoration. We are the sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is continually asking to dine with us, to be in relationship with us, to be with us. He is Emmanuel and he says, “I choose you, will you choose me?”

I pray that I know my need for Jesus every day. I pray that he will teach me to love those he loves. We can do none of this without the Holy Spirit’s help.