Monday, March 8: “The Pharisees and Scribes”
Luke 15:1-2
New Revised Standard Version: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The Message (Version): 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.”
As we read this week’s text, it is important to understand to whom Jesus is speaking. The Pharisees were people of law. Jesus knew there was something greater than law, love.
It is the message of love that still speaks to us today. Those who do not follow the law, still have room to be loved. Even those who do not seem worthy of love are still are worthy to Jesus.
Question: Why is it so difficult for many people to believe they are worthy of love?
I think it’s because we see how we sometimes struggle to love other people when they or their faults cause us pain and anguish. If we feel that it’s hard to love someone because of their faults, it stands to reason that we aren’t worthy of love because of OUR faults. And it can sometimes be hard to remember that God doesn’t see our faults, only our assets and potential. God doesn’t think like we do, and we don’t think like God. That’s what makes His love so great, and what makes us so worthy of His love.
I think it is because throughout our lives there are people out there that you love, but they don’t return the love. When there are enough of these people oin your life you begin to wonder if you will ever be loved or even if you are worthy of anyone ever loving you. I feel this way many times in my life. I often wonder if anyone will ever love me the way that God loves me and the way I love God.
Could it be a cultural state of mind?
I am reminded of the woman in Haiti who, upon being rescued from the rubble of the earth quake, began singing praises to life. Though she had so little, she thought of God’s love first.
Two thoughts come to mind. I also struggle to love those who cause pain and anguish, even if not to me personally. Upon reading the text I readily identify with the Pharisees, in my amazement at Jesus and His love for those who we as a society would deem unworthy. I grapple with the idea of God wanting me to love those who are in prison, going to visit them as in Matt. 25, though I know this is the kind of love which is commanded of us. My lack of capacity of this kind of love is just one of my many faults.
To turn to the question posed to us today, I often feel unworthy because I am ever-reminded of my many faults. How could I not feel unworthy of God’s love? But I would be more useless to God if I felt defeated, and so I try to move forward, searching for His lead.