Read Luke 15:1-7
Just Spend Time With Them!
The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” This to me is the key to everyday evangelism. What was Jesus doing that would cause tax collectors and sinners to gather around him and listen to him, and even eat with him? I feel pretty confident that they felt loved, valued, and significant despite their lifestyle. Sitting down with a sinner and having a normal conversation about life can do a lot to make a person feel good. Having words of encouragement can go a long way in giving people hope for today and tomorrow. Jesus was good at that.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were not so good at it. They were quick to condemn and judge others and lacked love and compassion. Unlike Pharisees and teachers of the law, we need to look at people, not through the glasses of “the law” saying, “Do This or Die,” but through the glasses of love, mercy, and Grace that says, “You Can’t Do This But Christ Can.”
Jesus then tells a parable stating how when a Shepherd loses one sheep, he’ll leave the 99 sheep to go find the one lost sheep. When he finds it, there’s a great celebration. It’s the same in heaven! When one person repents of their sins and turns to Jesus, all of heaven rejoices! So Lord, help us be busy at taking time to spend with lost people and love them to Jesus versus making them feel like rotten sinners deserving hell. Simple little compliments and words of encouragement, or giving a listening ear, can go a long way to help point people to Jesus. This is something we can do everyday!
