Tuesday, March 15
I’VE COME FOR SINNERS by Jeff Allen
Luke 5:27-31
Afterward, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Then Levi threw a great banquet for Jesus in his home. A large number of tax collectors and others sat down to eat with them. The Pharisees and their legal experts grumbled against his disciples. They said, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do.
Reflection
Can you imagine being a tax collector? “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I guess I’ll go eat worms.” In all seriousness, in Jesus’s time nobody did like tax collectors. They were considered sinners as they were Jews who worked for the Romans. In other words, they were traitors.
Who in our culture or personal lives would be the “tax collectors” now? My hunch is that to someone, we all are. Maybe someone of a different political persuasion or someone who has a career or lifestyle that you find undesirable or wrong. Either way, we know these people and to someone we are these people.
If the Pharisees could look closer at themselves they would see that they, too, are “tax collectors” in their own ways. Listen to how harsh the judgement is there. As if Levi didn’t deserve the love of God. I know I’ve been that judgmental, and probably will again.
I’m thankful for the “doctor.” Because sick I am and sick I will be again. Amen.
Questions for Contemplation
1. Have you ever known someone who you thought was not worthy of the love of God?
2. Have you yourself ever thought you were unworthy of God’s love?
3. How can you overcome both of these feelings in the future?
Prayer
God, you are the God of those that we love and those that we can not stand. You are the God of those we agree with and those we don’t understand. Please help us come together in your name, understanding that we are sinners, but with you we are healed. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
I’VE COME FOR SINNERS by Jeff Allen
Luke 5:27-31
Afterward, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Then Levi threw a great banquet for Jesus in his home. A large number of tax collectors and others sat down to eat with them. The Pharisees and their legal experts grumbled against his disciples. They said, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do.
Reflection
Can you imagine being a tax collector? “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I guess I’ll go eat worms.” In all seriousness, in Jesus’s time nobody did like tax collectors. They were considered sinners as they were Jews who worked for the Romans. In other words, they were traitors.
Who in our culture or personal lives would be the “tax collectors” now? My hunch is that to someone, we all are. Maybe someone of a different political persuasion or someone who has a career or lifestyle that you find undesirable or wrong. Either way, we know these people and to someone we are these people.
If the Pharisees could look closer at themselves they would see that they, too, are “tax collectors” in their own ways. Listen to how harsh the judgement is there. As if Levi didn’t deserve the love of God. I know I’ve been that judgmental, and probably will again.
I’m thankful for the “doctor.” Because sick I am and sick I will be again. Amen.
Questions for Contemplation
1. Have you ever known someone who you thought was not worthy of the love of God?
2. Have you yourself ever thought you were unworthy of God’s love?
3. How can you overcome both of these feelings in the future?
Prayer
God, you are the God of those that we love and those that we can not stand. You are the God of those we agree with and those we don’t understand. Please help us come together in your name, understanding that we are sinners, but with you we are healed. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
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2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
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March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
November
December
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 1Christmas Invitations // M-Note 12.7.24Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 2Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 3Christmas Eve is Almost Here // M-Note 12.21.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4
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