Luke 15:1-2 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
I have heard several people say throughout my years that: “I am just too sinful to be saved”. To make a statement like that is an indication that they have no idea what Jesus was all about. The entire purpose of Jesus was to do for sinners, what they could not do for themselves...to SAVE them!
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Because of his mission to save the lost and to give sinners hope, sinners became Jesus’ primary...in fact...ONLY target market. Therefore, instead of sinners being objectionable to Jesus, he sees them as them for their potential. He looks at them with compassion. He sees them for what God can make them not for what Satan has made them.
In our verse today, we find that Jesus is again attracting a crowd. The problem is that it is not the “right kind of people” for the Jewish establsiment leadership. They criticize him for “receiving and eating” with sinners. First, Jesus understood that to help them, he had to relate to them. Secondly, Jesus isn’t just “receiving” sinners, he’s transforming them into something far better. He’ transforming them from hopeless to hopeful. From lost to found. From rebellious to servant.
If you are struggling with a life of sin, disappointment, hopelessness and rebellion, you do not have to remain in that state. You are the IDEAL prospect for Jesus.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward
their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.
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