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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We move slowly on and into Luke Chapter 15. Do remember this is a study of the Gospel of Luke and not a race through this medical doctor’s testimony to the life and teaching of Jesus. After all these hard things which Jesus Christ had been saying to men and women, nevertheless people continue to come to Him. They came to hear Him.
All the publicans and sinners – all the rogues and rascals - all the people who were not very nice to know - they came to hear Jesus. They knew they could not keep the law. They came to hear Jesus, because they knew that this Man, Jesus Christ, could help and heal and save them, and perhaps even make then new people. They had a sense of need. Many have a real sense of need and most people would like to have their life cleaned up and sorted out.
They knew they were sinners. They knew they were immoral. They realised they were in need. They were aware that their hearts were rotten and diseased and corrupt. But they also knew Jesus could do something real to help them.
They gathered around to hear Jesus. This is a wonderful picture.
But there was another group – the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They regarded themselves as so upright and moral, but, they had not come to hear Jesus. They came to mutter - to murmur - to express their comments and criticisms.
Which group are you in?
Wherever Jesus Christ went He split people into two groups. He divided people into friends and enemies. Some were attracted to Him. Many were repelled and put off, because they would not accept His Light and His Word and His Ways.
We see two groups and a tension arises.
We see these sick cynical critics - religious people - and they paid Jesus a most beautiful compliment and they did not know it. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." He receives sinners and eats with sinners - and sups with sinners - and fellowships with sinners.
Aren't you glad He did that, and does that?
If we have come like these needy sinners, Jesus will receive us and lovingly welcome us, and feed us. How did Jesus feed people on this occasion? He spoke a parable, and in Luke 15 we have this one parable.
It has been divided up into three - the parable of the lost sheep - the lost coin - and the two sons - but as we shall see it is really one parable, which is a wonderful revelation of the heart of God. Read it through before next week’s study.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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