I enjoy metal detecting as a hobby. A few years back I bought a quality detector which has the ability to "discriminate" between various metals on a scale from 1 to 99. The readings correlate with a change in tone which helps a detectorist (also called a fossicker in AUS) to choose quality targets. I don't want to spend a lot of time digging up bits of foil or rusty nails when I could be digging coins. Even with discrimination the depth and size of the object can give a signal that sounds better than reality. My detector has the ability to completely silence a custom range to prevent digging up scrap iron or tiny bits of foil which saves a lot of time.
While I was digging through sand today I considered how Jesus had the power to discriminate, to know the hearts and minds of people without them uttering a word. He could have gone only to the people who would be open to discussion or willing to believe, but He didn't. Jesus actually did the opposite, going specifically to sinners who had need for repentance. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, people the Jewish religious leaders avoided like lepers to avoid any uncleanness. When Jesus went to a feast given in His honour, Luke 5:30-31 says, "And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Jesus sought out the people others had written off as unclean and sinning because they had need to repent of sin and by grace through faith in Jesus receive forgiveness and salvation.
Isn't God awesome and gracious to seek out people whose lives resembled a burnt-out rusted heap in a junkyard? Other people may see us as a waste of space or a liability but God sees an opportunity to bestow His love and salvation. It wasn't that He saw potential in a person to improve, like a collector seeks out rusted out cars to buy on the cheap to restore: only Jesus has the potential in Himself to bring people dead in sins to life and can transform an eternal soul to have a relationship with Him never before realised. God has sought out us sinners the world could not help, comfort, or save and has become our living Hope through the Gospel. God loves people who have been created in His image despite our sins, and He loves those who choose to love Him because He is worthy. This love, forgiveness, and redemption we could never hope to earn but we gratefully receive by His grace.
While I was digging through sand today I considered how Jesus had the power to discriminate, to know the hearts and minds of people without them uttering a word. He could have gone only to the people who would be open to discussion or willing to believe, but He didn't. Jesus actually did the opposite, going specifically to sinners who had need for repentance. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, people the Jewish religious leaders avoided like lepers to avoid any uncleanness. When Jesus went to a feast given in His honour, Luke 5:30-31 says, "And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Jesus sought out the people others had written off as unclean and sinning because they had need to repent of sin and by grace through faith in Jesus receive forgiveness and salvation.
Isn't God awesome and gracious to seek out people whose lives resembled a burnt-out rusted heap in a junkyard? Other people may see us as a waste of space or a liability but God sees an opportunity to bestow His love and salvation. It wasn't that He saw potential in a person to improve, like a collector seeks out rusted out cars to buy on the cheap to restore: only Jesus has the potential in Himself to bring people dead in sins to life and can transform an eternal soul to have a relationship with Him never before realised. God has sought out us sinners the world could not help, comfort, or save and has become our living Hope through the Gospel. God loves people who have been created in His image despite our sins, and He loves those who choose to love Him because He is worthy. This love, forgiveness, and redemption we could never hope to earn but we gratefully receive by His grace.
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