The Pharisees were always complaining that Jesus spent so much of his time with "sinners."
At one point Jesus told them that those who were well didn't need a doctor.
Jesus wants all to be saved.
Which of us wants to "lose" one of our children to sin?
We do everything we can to raise our children to know that we love them and will never desert them, no matter what.
Everyday men and women visit their children who are in prison regardless of the crimes they have committed.
We try to be like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Sometimes, love means telling our children they have to make it on their own, but that we will always love them and will always welcome them back when they have cleaned up their act.
If we, with all our faults and failings, can love our children and welcome them back, how much more will God?
God does not want to lose any of his children either.
We see this love throughout the Old Testament as he continually reaches out to the Israelites, begging them to return to him so that they can be safe.
We see it in our own lives as our prayers continue to be answered, even though we haven't kept up our promises to follow him and we turn to sin.
He also doesn't give up on those who don't know him yet, and continually lets them feel his presence until they realize that he is responsible for the blessings they have received.
I am glad that I can depend on the Father to find me when I am lost and return me to the flock.
