Nearer to God
by Dianne Eckermann
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Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’ (Luke 15:1,2).
Luke chapter 15 begins with outsiders – that is, the tax collectors and sinners of his community – drawing near to him.
Jesus is not demanding they come to him, nor is he ordering them to follow. They are, apparently of their own accord, drawing near to him. There is something in his demeanour, in his teaching and in his acceptance of this group of tax collectors and sinners that encourages them to want to know him.
At the same time, others see what is happening. The Pharisees also spend a lot of time around Jesus. But their motives are not the same as the sinners who felt drawn to him. They are there to judge, catch him out, find reasons to criticise and ultimately condemn him. They believe they have a relationship with God, a rather exclusive relationship as it definitely excludes the group of sinners who come to Jesus to know more.
There could not be two more contrasting groups of people gathering around Jesus with two very contrasting motives. If we put ourselves into this picture, we may find it difficult to see where we fit. We probably don’t want to identify with the self-righteous Pharisees, nor do we want to be defined by our sin. If we could truly see ourselves, we may realise we are both self-righteous and sinful.
Our relationship with God is not determined by our best behaviour, by being a nice person or by regularly attending church each Sunday. Our relationship with God is also not defined by our worst behaviour, the times we have not been at all nice to others or when we have neglected God. It has already been determined by the immeasurable love of God, who comes to us in all our imperfections, including those we are not even aware of. It has already been determined by a loving God who draws us near, even though we keep losing our way.
Luke chapter 15 ends with the parable of the prodigal son and the words, ‘he was lost, and is found’. The prodigal son is all of us – we are simultaneously lost and found because no matter who we are or what we have done, God waits with love, acceptance, mercy and grace.
We pray: Heavenly Father, you know who we are, and you accept us for who we are. We ask you to reach out to us with your love and acceptance, drawing us nearer to you. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
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