LUKE 15:1-7 – “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

THEME OF THE DAY: FRIEND OF SINNERS.  Of all the various names and roles, the Lord Jesus is and assumes in His interaction with sinners and saints alike, which one is most precious to us?  The glorious list is long . . . Savior, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Prophet, Priest, Good Shepherd, Brother, Everlasting Father. . .

What about this one?  It is music to the heart of sinner and saint alike!  It appears in the gospels of Matthew and Luke – “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19) and “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34). The title is “Friend of sinners” and what a liberating truth from the heart and life of Jesus!

Now let’s tie today’s scripture to the title of Jesus, “Friend of sinners.”   Luke writes the Pharisees and scribes grumbled, saying of Jesus, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”  Jesus put His role as the Friend of sinners into action. He went to them. He stayed with them.  He ate with them.  Obviously, the Son of God never compromised with sinners, but He loved them.  And it was a love that moved Him to be involved in their lives.

What about us?  Are we like Jesus in this area?  Do we have loving and uncompromising relationships with unbelievers?  Right now, are there sinners who would testify of our love for them because we have shown that love to them in word and deed?  We must be careful not to live in a “Christian bubble” so as to surround ourselves with everything and everyone being Christian.  Such a life violates the Lord’s command to be the light and salt to the world.

Yes, the Lord Jesus has many titles and roles so encouraging to the human heart!  High on the list, if not the highest, is the Friend of Sinners.  And because He is, all the other wonderful titles and roles become ours!

PRAYER: Lord, may I learn to be a friend of sinners so as to introduce them to You, the Friend of sinners.

REFLECTION:  Jesus became a Friend of sinners so that His people may become a friend of sinners.