Who Do You Invest Time With?

In my LTG, we are reading Luke 14:25-35. At the end of Chapter 14, Jesus has really difficult things to say about people who want to be His follower. I would really encourage you to read Luke 14:25-35 and just sit and think if you are following Jesus the way He prescribes. You may be startled! After saying these difficult truths in Luke 14, chapter 15 begins with these words; "Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him." Luke 15:1 This is impressive to me because of what Jesus has just been saying to the crowds. Whether these tax collectors and sinners actually heard Jesus' words from chapter 14, I don't know. I would assume that what He said was at least reported to them and certainly some (maybe all) actually there when while He was teaching. With their knowledge that Jesus has some really difficult things to say and that following Him will cost them much, they were coming near Him to listen to Him. Notice that Luke 15:1 doesn't say they came to Him to healed or loved or to see Him do great things. They came near Him to listen to Him. They wanted to hear His heart, His words of truth for mankind. They came near to Him knowing that some of what He said would be hard for them to live out. Obviously, living for Jesus was more appealing and true than living for themselves or for what other religious leaders taught. What Jesus said rang of authenticity, not manipulation. His truth gave life and hope, not empty promise or dream like ideas not based in reality. There was another group who probably heard Jesus' teachings in Luke 14:25-35. These were the Pharisees and the scribes - the Jewish leaders and important men of the day. Here is what Luke 15:2 has to report about their response to Jesus; "Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'" Luke 15:2 Apparently the scribes and Pharisees were too good to have friends with problems or character issues. What I learn from this is that the message Jesus, even though it is tough, is LIFE to the soul of people who want truth. Jesus' message was truth and when shared, you'll know who are being attracted to the light (Jesus) and who are running from the light. Spend (invest) time with those who after you tell the truth, run to the Light of the World.