Once again, I invite you to visit The Journey each day and enjoy the reflections on scripture to be found there. I particularly delilghted in writing this one. I read it and discover in it much that is not me. I hardly remember having composed it, and so I attribute the joy it produces in me to the Holy Spirit who also (I trust) inspired it. He uses even this weakest of vessels at times. And what is really wonderful is that I am rewarded by reading the work that I have done and discovering something new in it, that I did not see in writing.
from The Journey
This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. . .
Hallelujah! This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them. What could possibly be better news for us? I, for one, will not refuse a gift outright given. The Son of God welcomes sinners. Me, you, everyone. And He eats with us and shares with us the precious food that is His body and Blood.
The next time you fail, remember with joy, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them." What was meant to express His deep shame has become His victory and our amazing and unending joy. When overcome with our own worthlessness, when despairing of ever getting better, when thinking for a moment about our own condition, let's always bring to mind, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Praise God, what a wonderful promise, what a beautiful savior! What more could we ask for than that God Himself should eat with us and share Himself with us. Throughout the day let's remind ourselves, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them." And then remember the age-old wisdom as we approach the altar, "You are what you eat." We too become the Man who welcomes sinners and eats with them. The whole kingdom rejoices in our transformation and in the transformation of all around us.
Keep as an inspiration to hope, this wonderful criticism that has become our glory. "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
