Read Lk 15.11-32 – I have been studying the gospels looking for the motivations for association. In other words, why the people wanted to hangout with Jesus and why Jesus wanted to hangout with them. I’ve found a bunch of reasons why people wanted to associate with Jesus; Healing, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, See Miracles, Hear His Teaching, Get Free Food, Be in the Cool Crowd, and the list goes on. But this morning I think I found the #1 reason Jesus wanted to hangout with the people; He loved them. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the son comes to his senses when his stomach starts growling. He decides to repent but only because he’s hungry. On the other hand, what was the father’s motivation for receiving his son back? Pure love, plain and simple. Why do we want to hangout with Jesus? Why do people want to hangout with us?
ToBeLikeJesus 