Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 13, 2024
Luke 15:1-7
1 All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. 2 The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
Good Morning! Jesus seeks the lost children of God
“The church is not a museum of saints, but an infirmary for sinners.” This quote pops up periodically. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of healing. I recently saw a different definition of church. The church is the “morgue for the dead.” At first glance, that is a bit startling. We are challenged by admitting our sins, and now, someone is equating our church to a morgue.
What does this mean for us? Do we sometimes find our churches as quiet as a morgue during worship? I am constantly searching for ways to bring life and vibrancy to our spiritual gatherings, but I don’t think this is the point of this statement.
Let’s go to Romans 6 and consider Paul’s words: " Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Before accepting God, we are among the walking dead who inhabit this earth and live in darkness. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are reborn and renewed into a new life filled with light. So, like a morgue, those who enter are dead. However, by the grace of God working through the Holy Spirit, we are given new life.
Accept and celebrate your new life in Christ. Praise to God who raises us.
Listening God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We are confused by the thought of dying to find new life. Thank you for working with us despite our lack of understanding. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Go out and invite the dead to join us in worship so they might find life.
Celebrate the grace of God! Pastor Liz
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