Crumbs Off The Table - 3

Just As You Are

A certain artist was once in want of a subject to represent in one of his pictures the Prodigal
Son. He therefore visited various charitable institutions for this purpose, but could not find
in any of them a suitable subject. At length he met a beggar in the street, and thought that
he was exactly what he was looking for. So he made an appointment with the beggar to
come to his studio on a certain day.
At the time appointed the man appeared.
Addressing the artist, he said, - ‘I am here, sir, according to our agreement.’
‘I don’t know you,’ said the painter; ‘I never saw you before.’
‘Yes, sir, I met you at such a place, and you told me to call here to-day at this exact hour.’
‘Oh no, you’re not the man, that was a beggar.’
‘But I am that very beggar sir, only I am now dressed differently. I thought that if I was to
have my portrait taken, I must wash first and dress in the best clothing I could procure.’

‘Well, then,’ replied the artist, ‘all I can say is, you will not do. You are not the subject I
want. I want a beggar – a prodigal.’

And it is such that Jesus calls!

Dear reader and friend, are you feeling yourself very sinful? Are you saying, ‘I am so
very; wicked; I will never go to Jesus as I am and dare not come to Him until I become
better.’ Realize now that this is wrong reasoning. It is like being sick, and waiting until you are
fully recovered before you decide to call the doctor.

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
Luke.5:3
Jesus said, ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’
Luke.5:32

If you are a sinner, and feel yourself so, that is your very qualification and you need not think
that Jesus will ever reject you.Remember that he is a God who has repeatedly promised again
and again that; ‘a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.’
(Isaiah.42:3) And about Him the following was said; 

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,

"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke.15:2

Thank God for that!

May this convince you to turn to God today and let yourself be ‘received’ in His arms of love.