The Prodigal's ReturnSample

Come as You Are

Taylor Harmon

[Luke 5:31-32 MSG] Jesus heard about it and spoke up, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”

As Jesus calls Levi (a tax collector) to follow Him, he is having supper with other tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees questioned Jesus as to why He is socializing with sinners. Jesus answers them in this verse, saying that His purpose is to call the sinners to repent and turn to Him. Jesus didn’t and doesn’t follow cultural rules! He loves us as we are, where we are, and who we are!

As we are humbled by our earthly failures, we come to a place of desperation. We finally realize we need help and cry out for God. We are in our most humanly humble place. I believe when I came to my most humble place of crying out to God, He met me right where I was! As I worked the twelve steps of recovery, steps six (asking God to remove character defects) and seven (asking God to remove our shortcomings) helped me realize where in my life I most needed God’s help. I maintain that humility on a daily basis, knowing I continually need His help!

When we own our own sins and truth, we are humbled to realize we need God! We need His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Come just as you are! Jesus loves the sick!

As we acknowledge how sick we are and what a Healer we have there for us, we are able to live a life that represents God. We are able to show others the same grace and mercy. We are able to live without judging others, loving them as Jesus does. It is in our own humility that we are able to show others the love of God.

God, I thank you for loving me just as I am, where I am. Thank you for loving me despite my shortcomings! I pray today that You will help me realize that Your mercy is enough! Help me to remove my defects and represent You in all I do. Help me to love others just as You have loved me. Amen.