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  "description": "As a sinner myself, that makes me feel pretty good!  ",
  "path": "/strong-spirits-sinners-for-dinner/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-08T01:55:46.000Z",
  "site": "https://roscoenews.com",
  "tags": [
    "_Caledonia Congregational Church_",
    "_Gary Schwerin_",
    "_YMCA of the Rock River Valley_",
    "_Bridge Ministries of Rockford_",
    "_subscribe to our daily email_"
  ],
  "textContent": "Who do you normally invite to any dinner that you have or party that you throw? Would that change if you were inviting Jesus as well?\n\nIn Luke's account of Jesus' life, he tells the story of Levi, a tax collector, who Jesus called to be a disciple. Tax collectors were much hated because they took money from the Jews for the much-hated Romans. To show his delight in being called to be a disciple of Jesus, Levi threw a big dinner party for all his friends to meet Jesus.\n\nWhen the religious leaders found out, they asked Jesus why he was dining with tax collectors and other \"sinners.\" A fair question if you're a religious sort. Jesus replied,**\"It's not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.\" (Luke 5:31,32)**\n\nI don't know about you, but, as a sinner myself, that makes me feel pretty good! What isn't said, but is implied, is that these religious leaders were also in need of repentance and forgiveness. So am I, and so are you.\n\nWhat good news! The Lord of all creation steps down, becomes one of us, and, rather than judging or condemning us, comes to our homes, accepts our invitations, and offers us forgiveness and freedom, at his expense.\n\nWho's coming to your next party? Why not invite Jesus, too!\n\n_Besides serving as pastor at_ _Caledonia Congregational Church_ _,__Gary Schwerin_ _is the Spiritual Development Minister for the_ _YMCA of the Rock River Valley_ _and Executive Director of_ _Bridge Ministries of Rockford_ _. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all,__subscribe to our daily email_ _._",
  "title": "Strong spirits: sinners for dinner?",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-08T01:55:45.691Z"
}