Verse of the Day 4/14

Through the Bible - 1 Samuel 15-17, Luke 15:11-32

 

Good morning,

The other day in reference to Romans 8:19 I mentioned that "earnest" as in earnest money, was a down payment, a pledge given in a binding agreement and that Christ in saving us, didn't just give a down payment, He "Paid it All".  Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us", and as we read yesterday, all of us have sinned and are in need of God's grace.

 

In today's New Testament reading we come to Luke 15 which is contains some of, and possibly the most famous short story ever written, about the prodigal son.

 

For today's verse we'll go to the beginning of that chapter.  The parables that follow were in response to the attitude, the hearts of the Pharisees.

 

Luke 15:1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."    NKJV

or from the Message

Luke 15:1-3  By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.

The other day I focused on the word earnest.  Today we'll consider the word receive(s) as used in reference to Jesus in this passage.

 

John Piper writes, "Luke uses this word "receive" (prosdechomai) six other times in his writings and every time it means "eagerly await or expect and look for." In Luke 2:25 Simeon was "eagerly awaiting" the consolation of Israel. In Luke 2:38 Anna the prophetess spoke to those in the temple who were "eagerly awaiting" the redemption of Israel. In Luke 12:36 Jesus says, Be like men who are "eagerly awaiting" the return of the master from the wedding feast. And so on. In other words, Luke 15:2 says that Jesus is not just receiving sinners; he is looking for them and eagerly awaiting their coming. He has his eye out for them. The word "receive" sounds passive. But Jesus is not passive. He is seeking sinners and tax-gatherers to come to him and eat with him." 

Think about that.  Think of the earnest, Christ's sacrifice paid the debt in full, now consider that it is Jesus how is not just willing to receive us, He has had His eye out for us, has been waiting for us, eagerly.

I think of Rob's testimony over the weekend.  Jesus had His eye on Rob and was eagerly awaiting his coming to Him.  It is the same with you and I.

 

How should we live today in response to this knowledge?

Admire . . .
  the grace which saves you;
  the mercy which spares you;
  the love which pardons you!

 

The first two short parables are an excellent lead in to the parable of "The Prodigal Son", think of the word receives as spoken of here in regards to the following parables in Luke 15.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Luke 15:1-8

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
(Matt 18:10-14)

15 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them,'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'  7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

NKJV