There are a couple reasons I enjoy spending time with prostitutes.
First, they often lift my spirits. Their job is to make a person feel better. It's a skill that is actually quite rare and not as easy as you might think. They are just good at making people feel good.
For the record: I am not talking about being with prostitutes in any physical manner. I don't think I've even so much as ever shaken their hands. I've never been with a prostitute sexually and I don't have any intention to do so.
The other reason I like being with them is because it is a direct line back to Jesus.
Many of the other kinds of people Jesus spent time with just aren't around anymore. Lepers aren't a thing in Akron Ohio. And the "sinners" we have today aren't really referenced in the Bible that much.
Drug addicts. Drug dealers. Meth cooks. They just don't seem to be a thing then like they are now.
But prostitutes. They are as much a thing today as I'm sure they were when Jesus was around. Mary Magdalene is given a leading role in the story of Jesus.
There is debate as to whether she was a prostitute or not. Some say she was a rich woman whose life of sexual freedom was purely for pleasure. At any rate, she's fascinating. You can read more about her here.
When I get the opportunity to spend time with prostitutes it just makes me feel more connected to God and Jesus.
It also causes me to ask the obvious question: is there anyone Jesus would not have spent time with.
This post talks about the 5 groups of people Jesus spent time with:
That Oppressors one is challenging for me.
The jist of it all is: no one is too terrible for Jesus.
The correct answer to the question of "who doesn't deserve our love and forgiveness" is: NO ONE.
Every human being must be loved and forgiven. And it's not about them. It's about us. We will never be free of hate and fear until we can allow ourselves to let go and forgive and love everyone. EVERYONE. We must be able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. That's the path to salvation.
I want to talk more about what I've learned spending time with some prostitutes. But I'll get back to that topic another day. I have a meeting I have to get to.
I might leave you with this challenge: What "sinners" have you spent time with recently? What people that are below your class, below your economic level or are criminals of various degrees have you gotten to know?
Do you ever allow yourself to step out of your social comfort zone?
If the answer is "None" then I would invite you to come to our center and meet some homeless folks. You might be wildly surprised by what you find out about them and about yourself.
We are at 15 Broad Street in Akron Ohio. We're open 7 days a week 9-5. Come in any time you would like.
Here's a picture of a couple moms that brought their kids to our center yesterday and served banana splits.
To me, that picture says it all. Banana splits for homeless people. It's about the greatest act of love and kindness I could possibly imagine.
Paid For By The People for Sage Lewis