Pastor's Corner - 9/9

“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). Luke 15 begins with a complaint. Jesus responds with stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and two lost sons. Each shows us something about the heart of God.

The younger son was lost through rebellion. He wanted his father’s gifts without wanting his father. But when he finally returned home in repentance, his father did not make him earn his way back. He ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him home as a son.

The older brother was lost in a different way. He stayed home and obeyed, but believed his faithfulness made him deserving. He needed the father’s grace just as much as his younger brother did.

We can wander from God through rebellion, but we can also be far from him through self-righteousness. Both sons needed grace. So do we.

And the good news is that Jesus receives sinners. He came to seek the lost and gave his life to bring us home.

Dear Church, come home to God’s grace. And when another lost sinner comes home, don’t stand outside grumbling. Rejoice, because heaven rejoices too.