Drawing Near Home

Luke 15,that wonderful chapter about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, opens with the words, " Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners, for to hear Him." They drew near to the Lord Jesus.

                 Drawing near meant that they had to distance themselves from all their worries, their burdens, their daily concerns. They drew near for the purpose of hearing Him. They proved the promise, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
The Lord Jesus drew near to the people disregarding the stigma of mingling with 'sinners'. He turned a deaf ear to the self-righteous people who accused Him of associating with the riffraff. Those who drew close to the Lord were privileged people because they heard the One, of Whom it was said, "Never man spake like this man!" (John 7:46)
             They were refreshed by the One to Whom Peter said, "Lord, to Whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life!" (John 6:68) The people came to the feet of the Lord Jesus, like Mary of Bethany in Luke 10. She deliberately took that step, earning a compliment from the Lord Himself, Who said, " One thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42)
             The Word says, "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8) Dear reader, are you drawing close to the Lord, spending time with Him daily in His Word and in intimate prayer? If not why not? What is keeping us from drawing close to the Lord? Is it sin? Is it preoccupation with the things of this world that do not matter in the scales of eternity? No one can handle all the trouble and turmoil of our days, unless he or she draws close to God. Are you neglecting priority number one?
                Do you personally know Jesus as your Lord, Friend and Master? If not, may we show you how you might know Him intimately?

Dr.Samuel Kumar