Scripture: Acts 2:27-42
Summary: This scripture comes directly after the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, they speak in many languages, and Peter preaches to the crowd. After the sermon, many of them are cut to the heart, asking what they should do. Peter tells them to repent and be baptized and about 3000 people were baptized.
Thoughts: Peter tells the people that the promise is "for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." God's promise is not just for the Jews, or those in my neighborhood or church, or those in my country. God's promise is for all of us. Sometimes it's hard to accept the fact that God is reaching out to us all. Surely God is not reaching out to the Iraqis, or the Hispanics, or the mentally challenged! But when I study the scripture, I find out that that is exactly who God is reaching out toward. In fact, God takes a great interest in the poor and the marginalized. So maybe I should too...
Prayer: You are the God of all people. Not just the God for Christians or for people who look like me. Remind me every day that I should treat everyone I meet as valued in your eyes. Amen.
Showing posts with label repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label repentance. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Luke 5:27-32 - Repentence
Scripture: Luke 5:27-32
Summary: Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector, collecting taxes, and he tells Levi to follow him. Then Levi throws a big banquet for Jesus and the Pharisees complain because Jesus eats with sinners. Jesus tells them that those who are well don't need a physician, but the sick do.
Thoughts: Jesus tells the Pharisees "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance." It's so easy when I read this scripture to look down on the tax collectors and the Pharisees. The tax collectors in Jesus' time were usually crooks. They collected more tax than was required and kept the difference. So I'm obviously better than them because I don't steal from people.... or do I? I know that I have left the grocery store before with a 12-pack of Cokes that I didn't pay for because neither the clerk nor I saw them under the cart. But it was too much trouble to go back in and pay for them. After all, I reasoned, I wasn't the only one who missed them! But I'm definitely better than the Pharisees because I don't look down on preachers who eat with sinners... or do I? Perhaps I am no better than the sinners in this story, both the tax collectors and the Pharisees. I am in need of repentance too!
Prayer: Forgiving God, help me to admit to my own sin and repent of it. For I know that I am no better than those around me, no matter what I might think on some days! Amen.
Summary: Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector, collecting taxes, and he tells Levi to follow him. Then Levi throws a big banquet for Jesus and the Pharisees complain because Jesus eats with sinners. Jesus tells them that those who are well don't need a physician, but the sick do.
Thoughts: Jesus tells the Pharisees "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance." It's so easy when I read this scripture to look down on the tax collectors and the Pharisees. The tax collectors in Jesus' time were usually crooks. They collected more tax than was required and kept the difference. So I'm obviously better than them because I don't steal from people.... or do I? I know that I have left the grocery store before with a 12-pack of Cokes that I didn't pay for because neither the clerk nor I saw them under the cart. But it was too much trouble to go back in and pay for them. After all, I reasoned, I wasn't the only one who missed them! But I'm definitely better than the Pharisees because I don't look down on preachers who eat with sinners... or do I? Perhaps I am no better than the sinners in this story, both the tax collectors and the Pharisees. I am in need of repentance too!
Prayer: Forgiving God, help me to admit to my own sin and repent of it. For I know that I am no better than those around me, no matter what I might think on some days! Amen.
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