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I imagine the room, that evening of Levi’s invitation, full of actively immoral outcasts, carrying all manner of vile and visible scars of depravity, desperately trying to be on their best behavior. Quiet and awkward. If we could have filmed it, a camera would now pan in from the back of the room…Soon there’s a circle around Jesus, all of them with elbows on knees, chins on hands. Hardened sinners with expressions of wonder and innocence. We’re watching what happens when perfect love, grace and purity invades darkness. The King has shown up to rescue prisoners in the enemy camp-where wickedness and perversion have seemed logical up until this moment. Suddenly there is, at least in this room, a hope that life could be different.
The air gradually blends into a mixture of the best humor, stories, truth, life, hope.

Somewhere in evening, the conversation turns.

“Who are you-really?” He unhurriedly lets them ask questions. Then there is sacred silence. It is becoming clear exactly who he is. Few, if any, in the crowds outside, who’ve sought Him for a miracle show, got what the reprobates in this room are receiving. They’re desperate for Who He is, not what He might give.

Someone sitting next to Him… “Why us? Why would you choose to be here tonight, with us?”

“This may be hard for you to understand. I’ve known you since before there was time. I’ve loved you since before there was time. I know about the catch in your knee that takes awhile each morning to loosen up. I was there the evenings your father beat you. I was there when you were kicked out of the synagogue. I’ve come from heaven for you.”

“Don’t you know what I’ve done?”

“Yes, I do. And I have the unfortunate ability to know the wrong things you’re going to do tomorrow and the day after that, also. The only sin which could possibly separate you from eternity with God-is to reject the Person who’s speaking to you at this moment…(He smiles) And, at least so far, I’m being welcomed tonight like few other places I’ve been down here.”


Posted on Fri, October 26, 2012 by John Lynch

9 comments (Add your own)

1. Andrew Koornstra wrote:
Love it John blatantly true and provoking to the inner cry of the lost soul who begs for release! How can anyone ignore such a visitation of the one who personifies this kind of unconditional love and grace!

Fri, October 26, 2012 @ 2:49 AM

2. Pam O'Malley wrote:
Smiling with some kind of unspoken connectedness and yet still can't get my consciousness around it kind of awe. Last night Justin and I found ourselves out of the Inn and free of children so we set out for the local movie theater, a downtown icon that hosts artsy films and such we enjoy when we get the chance. Even better-a free parking spot on the street right next door. As we got out a gal in her 60's was leaning and having a cigarette outside a hole-in-the-wall bar and as we remarked to each other that we found ourselves downtown and an hour early for the show she invited us to come on in and have a drink with them while we waited. We share your love of red wine and so it was a why not kind of moment. It was an eyes adjusting to the light (or lack there of) kind of place and we stood at the door chatting with our hostess as she quickly came to tell us of her plight as she came out to her family and was then cast off, dead to them from the age of 16, and how her life unfolded from then on, how she came to work at this bar for some 32 years. We started sharing the grace of Jesus and then sat and ordered that glass of wine when another lady came in and her story began to unravel and so did ours--one of an amazing gift of mercies and grace. Soon we were asked over and over again--Why are you two here? We met gays and lesbians, young and old, and drag queens who were preparing to perform later in the adjoining salon. I told them "God sent us in here to tell you that He knows who you are and where you are and that He loves you very much--always has and always will!" To this they responded "are you serious?" And of course--I was. We exchanged information, laughed and shared stories, and invited people to come worship with us and come visit us. We missed the movie. But more over, we had been missing these people everytime we came that way--never knew they were there or that we would be welcomed in--certainly it is not anyplace I would have chosen to seek out. Then I awoke this morning to paragraph one of John's blog and I called out to Justin "you've got to read John's blog! It's like he was writing what we were experiencing last night!" What He has for us is so indescribable yet our gifted friend manages to set pen to it again and again--thank you for being our words, John! Love you, friend.

Fri, October 26, 2012 @ 6:40 AM

3. Bruce Tindale wrote:
Beautifully set and told, gives a very personal account of his perfect love and grace driving out fear and shame. Thank You John.

Fri, October 26, 2012 @ 10:25 AM

4. Bob Bennett wrote:
Your picture of Jesus' love for people always blows me away. It opens my eyes (and heart) to His love anew every day.

Thank you!

Fri, October 26, 2012 @ 4:48 PM

5. Tim Gifford wrote:
Was encouraged by this post this morning. In some way, I could almost see myself as one of the people hanging out with Jesus at Levi's house. Just to be in the room would have been enough. Thanks John :)

Fri, October 26, 2012 @ 5:52 PM

6. Arnold Guerrero wrote:
So good, beautiful. Thanks for writing this.

Sat, October 27, 2012 @ 2:28 PM

7. Kevin Rice wrote:
"God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another.". Shakespeare

We master the art of hiding, it is the wall between God and us.

I hope our walls still have a welcome sign on them ( for God).

Sat, October 27, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

8. Marci wrote:
I love how you paint a picture with words and put us right in the middle of what you're describing. I also loved Pam's account bringing the whole of life in Christ up to date. Beautiful! Thank you!

Sat, October 27, 2012 @ 8:03 PM

9. Hank wrote:
Loved reading this. Stirred something deep within me. But not sure I fully grasp what's being said, which is probably due to my upbringing in a very legalistic and moralistic church.

Are we saying Jesus has no requirements for repentance and change...or are we saying He does, it just looks a lot different than what most are used to.

I noticed once of the comments describe Jesus' love as unconditional. Help me understand what that means!

Sun, November 4, 2012 @ 8:07 PM

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