August 8
Scripture: Mark 9:37
Source author: Jessica Talbot
August 18
In the Company of Sinners The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “ I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!” —Luke 18:11
My husband, Ken, and I met Rocky and Roxanne at a marina in Durban, South Africa, and quickly learned they were no ordinary couple. Rocky was a drug dealer and Roxanne ran a prostitution ring. During a strong gale, Rocky’s sailboat broke loose, and it was Ken who rescued their yacht. When Rocky insisted on rewarding us, we eventually agreed to have dinner with them sometime. Secretly, I dreaded the idea of eating with criminals. Months passed and we sailed to Cape Town where, to our astonishment, Rocky and Roxanne appeared one day. They had come to keep their promise of dinner together. As we ate, I sensed their yearning for acceptance but recognized the barrier their life choices posed. Suddenly I was overwhelmed by God’s compassion for them and felt ashamed of my pharisaic attitude. For two hours, the four of us talked about important life issues, and I regretted it was the only opportunity to share God’s love. Soon after that one evening meal, Rocky was shot dead by a rival.
As sinners, we must be willing to associate with other sinners before we can show God’s love to them. — Jessica Talbot —