a portrait

of

jesus

A PORTRAIT OF JESUS - Friend of Sinners

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 15:2

Jesus had a reputation as being, “a friend of publicans and sinners.” Luke 7:34. This was not meant, in any way, as a compliment. The Pharisees obviously spoke it in derision as a put-down, to criticize Jesus and prove Him unworthy of anyone’s attention. Despite their evil intent, they did speak the truth for, indeed, Jesus was a friend of sinners. He befriended outcasts and was there to speak comfort to the downtrodden; whatever their defect, whatever their station, He cared compassionately for them. He ate with tax collectors, He healed lepers, and above all, He gave hope to those who were hopeless. He not only welcomed sinners, He sought them out, mingling freely with them. What the Pharisees did not comprehend was that they, too, were sinners ~ proud and arrogant. Every human being on earth is a sinner and all self-righteousness is as filthy rags before God.

All sin, no matter how small, cuts man off from a Holy God, causing a separation that only Jesus’ life poured out in death could bridge. The penalty for all sinners is the same - death! Jesus came to pay that penalty for all, no matter the degree of their sin. Truly, Jesus is man’s ultimate Friend! While here on earth, He not only conversed with sinners, healed and dined with them, He paid the full price to ransom them and reconcile them back to God by dying for them. John tells us (15:13), “Greater love has no man than this ~ that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus counted among his friends, all sinners, and He died for every last one of them.

Despite what others thought of “sinners,” Jesus welcomed them and offered His friendship. He extended grace, forgiveness and ultimately gave them the hope of eternal life. We have the same opportunity to be a friend to sinners, those outside of Christ. Will we, like Jesus, reach out to the downtrodden, the frowned upon, those society has cast off? Will we offer our friendship, help and hope, as the Lord gives us opportunity ~ will we be Jesus to them? If we are to be transformed into His likeness, we must follow in His steps and example, leading hopeless souls to Jesus, the One who is their truest Friend; the One who will offer them grace, forgiveness and life everlasting even as He has done to us. Yes, Jesus had a reputation for being “a friend of sinners” ~ and so must we.

D. Mathewson