Daily Journal- Jesus receives sinners!

Scripture:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him(Jesus). And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)

Observation:

2,000 years ago, God came down from heaven and became a man, His name was Jesus Christ. 100% God, 100% man. But when he came, he caused problems for the religious leaders of the time, the group called the Pharisees. They had a problem with the fact that Jesus walked with the worst of sinners. They didn't understand that they were sinners also, and that they needed God's forgiveness just as much as the murderers, thieves and criminals. So Jesus spent most of his ministry on the earth, walking with the outcasts of society. He healed many of them, raised some from the dead, forgave their sins, made some into great leaders, and ultimately died on the cross to take their punishment. After 3 days he rose from the dead and continued his ministry, then he returned to heaven. This is all true by the way, no fairy tale!

"This man receives sinners and eats with them"

Application:

This has to be one of the greatest verses in all the Bible! Jesus receives sinners! If Jesus wasn't willing to receive sinners, then I would have no chance of going to heaven when I die. If Jesus wasn't willing to receive sinners, then I would be on my way to hell right now and I should probably end my life and get it over with! But guess what... JESUS RECEIVES SINNERS!!!! This is the best news you will ever hear in your entire life! This is why life is worth living, because Jesus receives sinners. The Bible says we are all sinners, so we all have a huge problem on judgement day. We are all guilty of breaking God's laws. But there's good news! Jesus receives sinners!

Bible Verse: Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Because Jesus receives sinners, Jesus will receive you! Because Jesus receives sinners, all your sins can be forgiven! Because Jesus receives sinners, you can escape judgement by a holy God when you die! Because Jesus receives sinners, you can spend eternity in heaven! Some of you reading this have already been forgiven of all your sins, some of you reading this don't know Jesus Christ. Let me just tell you this: when Jesus died on the cross, he was being punished for the sins that you committed. That's why God can forgive you on judgement day, because the price has been paid on the cross. The price for your eternal soul wasn't paid with silver or gold, but it was paid with the blood of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. the Bible says that if you turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved! Not by being a good person(which none of us are), not by any good deeds, but only by faith!

Bible Verse: John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for receiving me, a sinner! Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for me. I pray for the people who read this, the ones that don't know you, that you would open their eyes to see their condition and how much they desperately need Jesus' sacrifice. Help me to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.