Friend of Sinners

Jesus........

• rebel
• line crosser
• rule breaker
• friend of sinners

Those are just some of the things I've mused about regarding Jesus. In some ways I think of Jesus as a hippie (must be that 70s child in me). Truth be told even in today's world Jesus would be considered a bit of an outcast himself. He wouldn't have been walking the path of "career building" nor looking for a golden parachute when he retired. And why is that?

Because time on this earth is but a fleeting thing and the constraints of it are really of little importance. Yes, they seem so important at the time but considering eternity (that's a long, long time!) what happens here is but a speck in the vastness of our life. Yes our lives because Jesus has provided us with a path to eternal life.

When Jesus was questioned about "eating with the scum" He said, " Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:16-17

Pretty straightforward and as I said in my earlier post a simple explanation regarding "scandalous grace". Yet Jesus could be both simple and complex. Let's take a little closer look at what he says:

"I've come to call, not those who think they are righteous"  He didn't say they are righteous but they think they are. Big difference. Sometimes I think people who love and have a relationship with God, truly never think they are righteous (or good enough). Yes that is a human failing but its also right on target. Not that we need to wallow in our "smallness" and our "human failings" but it does keep us humble.

I've written before that sometimes people who are "out there" all the time with their religious beliefs, highlighting their faith, and being just a little "over the top." make me leery. I try very hard not to judge them because it is not my place. God knows what is truly in their hearts. But at the same time they make me leery because they remind me of the Pharisees, shouting their beliefs at everyone and looking down their noses at others that "don't measure up." Yet they don't really know who measures up and who doesn't, only God knows what is in people's hearts.

Jesus goes on to say, "but those who know they are sinners."  People that recognize their short comings are being called to Jesus. That's the good news. You don't have to be perfect. Actually the very fact that you're not is what makes Jesus want you all the more!

Hugs to each and everyone of you. May you hear the voice of Jesus and know that he cares not about mistakes, faults, and sins but offers you grace.

Scandalous Grace

Sometimes I think we have a hard enough time understanding grace without adding in this idea of scandalous grace. What does it mean to us in today's world where scandals are an every day occurrence?

The story of the prodigal son was used to highlight the idea of "scandalous grace". Yes the one son takes his inheritance, squanders it and then returns home to the loving and accepting arms of his father, much in the same way that we veer from the path of God and then return when we are down and out. It's a human condition, a human weakness and one that God has taken into account.

As I've written before, Jesus was a bit of a rebel, in his day, and I love that about him. He talked to the Samaritan woman at the well, he touched lepers, he "hung out" with people that didn't follow the "rules" of the day. Why? What does it mean? There are simple answers like those people needing him more, or his example of acceptance of all people or his great ability to find the good in all people, no matter their life circumstances.

It reminds me of something totally not "religious" or even spiritual. It reminds me of ....

"Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town
They'd call us, gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down"

How or why in the world does it remind me of this ancient Cher song?  Well first of all gypsies, tramps, and thieves are just the sort of sinners Jesus might hang out with. But even more so it reminds me that as humans we have the tendency to see "sinners" and sins in others but seldom in ourselves.  The people of the town in the song would call them gypsies, tramps and thieves but they still came around at night and put their money down. Double standard?

The thing is with Jesus there is no double standard. What you see is what you get. He doesn't place "qualifications" on grace. If you do this then I'll do this. He doesn't say that grace is only for the "people of the town" or just for gypsies, tramps, and thieves for that matter. Rather grace is available for all, without question, without qualifications, and without limit.

 

On the other hand there are some religions (or religious people) that put qualifications on God's love. Oh many times they don't come right out and say it but people "feel" it.

If you are in a church or situation like that ....."get out". Find your own grace through your personal relationship with God.

So many times we feel we are "unworthy" of God's love and grace. All of us (being human) feel this at one time or another. Push through those feelings. Know that God's love and forgiveness is unlimited.

Hugs to you all today and may God's scandalous grace lift your spirits and transform your life!