Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 15:1-2 (New Living Translation)

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

Once again we have a case where Jesus didn’t seem to know how to live properly. He was violating social norms, and that upset powerful, influential people.

Note that the “notorious sinners” came to Jesus to listen to His words. Jesus, unlike earlier-mentioned Pharisees and teachers of religious law, didn’t proclaim, “Listen to me or else.” Jesus spoke and lived. Others noticed these things and came to Jesus to learn what was happening, why Jesus was the way He was. His life attracted people.

Back again to the verse. Jesus met sinful people. Hmmm, let me go to Starbucks and find people who don’t sin. I’ll sit next to them. Hmmm, I seem to be sitting by myself. Where are those folks who don’t sin? I can’t find them. Everyone seems to be like me, i.e., a sinner.

We each need to be with “good” people. Good people are good for us. I know some good people and I associate with them. I learn from them, I imitate them, and their “goodness” seems to rub off on me.

And then there are those who, well, society doesn’t approve of those other folks. They need to be around “good” people as well. Am I one of those “good” people who might rub off on them? Am I one of those Christians whose life might show Jesus Christ to them?

And, do any of these other folks see my life and come to me?