Drawn To Jesus

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.” Luke 15:1
“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’.” Luke 15:2

I marvel at how Jesus – so holy, pure, divine – could draw the exact opposite kind of folks (like me) to Himself . . .and continue to draw them to this day.

Oh Lord, help us receive all those You came for, in Your same Spirit and love. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Well Received

The crowds were forming
bigger than the Pharisees drew

His words were flowing
in a manner that grew

hope and life from what
was crushed and pressed

that gave forgiveness,
freedom and love’s rest.

Jesus Said “No”

“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things?'” Luke 13:2
“I tell you no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

I thought I was too messed up, too far gone, too bad. But Jesus said, “No”.

Thank You, Lord, for the hope and joy of salvation and redemption when we turn away from our sins and call on You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

None Worse

Fingers point
surely we’re the worse
our conscience sears
we hurt because we hurt

but Jesus stands ready
to say “No” to all the pain
as soon as we are willing
to believe upon His name.

There Are Many

“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many and they followed Him.” Mark 2:15

I’m one of those many sinners that followed Him.

Oh Lord, help me not to build pretenses, cliques and barriers that would keep anyone from following You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Keeping A Path Cleared

I’m a simple sinner
following the Sinless Son
I’m flawed and weak
You are the perfect One.
May I never elevate myself
and unwittingly block the view
that would keep someone from coming
straight on after You.

“Follow Me”

“Then as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office.  And He said to him, “Follow Me.”
“And so it was as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.”  Matthew 9:9-10

When Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, He broke down the walls and barriers so other tax collectors and sinners could come to Him.  People like me.

Thank You, Jesus, that there is nothing so shocking that we can do to keep You from saying to us, “Follow Me.”

At The Table

It’s not so much

about who we are
how we look
or what others think

but so much more

about who You are
and what You think
when you look at us.