But the Pharisees and the men who taught the law for the Pharisees began to complain to Jesus’ followers, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to invite good people but sinners to change their hearts and lives.” [Luke 5:30-32 (NCV)]
My mother always cleaned our house before the cleaning woman came. She explained that she didn’t want her to see how dirty our home had gotten since the last cleaning. This doesn’t make much sense to me, but I know many women who do the same thing. They are so ashamed of the dirt and mess in their homes that they straighten it up before the cleaning service arrives. Of course, there are others who won’t let anyone in the house unless it is on an absolute “need to enter” basis!
It makes even less sense that many of us aren’t willing to let God into our hearts because of the dirt and mess we’ve made in our lives. Jesus didn’t spend His time with self-righteous religious leaders; he spent His time with sinners who were always welcome at His table. Before they met Jesus, Matthew and Zacchaeus were corrupt tax collectors, Mary Magdalene was possessed by demons, and the woman at the well had what could politely be called a “colorful” past. Jesus came to cleanse us from sin, yet we seem unwilling to allow him to see our sins so He can do His job.
Because we won’t let God into our dirty house, we are often afraid to enter into His, yet church is exactly where we should go if we’re sinners. It is a misconception that only the “pure of heart” will be found in church. The amazing thing about God’s house is that everyone there is a sinner and they all know it! As our pastor often reminds us, “Church is not a country club for saints but rather a hospital for sinners!”
We don’t have to clean up our act before we turn to Him; he will clean it up for us. All we have to do is uncover the filth and admit that we are sinners. Once we relinquish our sin, we just need to ask His forgiveness. We don’t need to be ashamed if we’re soiled; church is like a cleaning service for the soul. Jesus is waiting there for us, scrub brush in hand, ready to make us fresh and clean.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Absolution from “The Book of Common Prayer” (1952)]
It’s that time of year again. Signs in stores say it, holiday lights in yards and on rooftops proclaim it, and we might greet one another in church with it. We send out cards with its message, sing of it and, yet, we’re bereft of it. We think we’ll have it when our chores are done, the cards mailed, the house cleaned, the tree decorated, the lights up, the cookies baked, the gifts purchased, the packages wrapped, and the bills paid. We sure we’ll get it if we reach our destination without delay or losing luggage or once our children arrive safely home. As long as everyone stays healthy, no food gets burnt, nothing is broken, politics isn’t discussed, no one gets drunk, and the back-ordered gift arrives in time, we’re sure to have it then. Yet, even when everything goes as planned (and believe me it won’t), it seems to escape us.
“It’s a masterpiece!” I exclaim while admiring my grand’s latest creation before hanging it on the refrigerator. In actuality, it is only a masterpiece in my grandmother’s eyes; to anyone else it is just a toddler’s effort with crayons and stickers. A real masterpiece is a work done with exceptional skill—it’s a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement. “Masterpiece” often describes an artist’s best work. While my grands need to hone their skills before creating a true masterpiece, we, my friend, are God’s masterpieces—His best work.
I recently walked by a home that has a large sign at its front door: “Smile, you’re on camera!” We’ve got baby monitors and nanny cams and can see who is at the door with a glance at our cell phones! Cameras are disguised as working clocks, lightbulbs, phone chargers and smoke detectors. No moment is private if a cell phone is nearby and our most embarrassing moments may find their way onto Facebook or YouTube. Police have body cams, cyclists have Go-Pros, drivers have dash cams, drones can watch us sunbathing in the yard, and schools embed RFID chips in student ID badges. We’re even monitored while in department store dressing rooms (an unsettling thought when trying on bathing suits!) Two years ago, hidden cameras were found in a beach house that was rented out to unsuspecting vacationers. Cameras are everywhere and no place is private; this whole surveillance thing is rather disquieting.
Devotions of the Heart 