Now, the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
Radical Belonging
There are many examples of Jesus' attraction to the "least of these." This chapter in Luke speaks to three lost groups.
The Sheep: They had their heads down, eating, wandering, and not paying attention. By the end of the day, their team had left them behind.
Look around and see all the people trudging through life, their heads down, not even knowing there is more. No one else cares, and they don't see the difference.
The Lost Coin: This is something that was mishandled, not to any fault of its own.
Think of all the people we see who have been mishandled, misused, or abused to no fault of their own. They often acquire a victim's mentality and identity, believing the enemy's lies that they are worthless, useless, or garbage.
The Lost Sons: Now, this dude, unlike the first two examples, chose to "get lost." It was a willful decision. Of course, the older son was lost at home deep inside the temple of himself.
I can personally relate to all the above reasons for being lost.
Yet, Jesus pursues all regardless of how they get lost.
He welcomes them to His table, as do we.
A place of radical belonging.
A place to believe.
A place to become...His.
Lord, you valued me enough to pursue me when I was lost. Open the eyes of my heart to see all the ways You do. To value all the lost regardless of how they became lost. May I not judge their lostness. To know that Your love not only redeems, it also finds. Amen