the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Luke 15:2
‘This man receiveth sinners’
Read Luke 15:1-24
Marvelous condescension! This man, who is above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners - this man receiveth sinners. This man, who is none other than God the eternal Son, before whom the angels hide their faces - this man receiveth sinners. Who can describe such love? It would be no great thing for any of us to seek after and receive sinners. They are of our own race. But that this man, the offended God, against whom the transgression has been committed, should receive such is a marvelous act of love and grace! He took upon himself the seed of Abraham. He bare the sin of many in his own body on the tree. And now he is willing to receive the vilest of the vile!
‘This man receiveth sinners’, not that they may remain in their sins; but he receives sinners that he might pardon their sins, justify their souls, cleanse their hearts by his purifying Word, preserve them by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and enable them to serve him. He receives sinners that they may show forth his praise, enjoy his fellowship and worship at his throne. This man takes sinners from the dunghill and wears them as jewels in his crown. He plucks them as brands from the burning and preserves them as monuments of his mercy. How precious in the sight of Christ are those sinners for whom he shed his life’s blood! The Son of God opens the golden gates of his royal heart and receives sinners right into himself. He admits the humbled, repentant sinner into a personal union with himself and makes him a member of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. There was never such a grand reception as this! This fact is still most sure today. Though the Son of God is exalted to the throne of glory, he is still receiving sinners today, just as he was when he walked the streets of Jerusalem. Say, sinner, will you flee to him?
Come ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and power.
