JESUS IS STILL RECEIVING SINNERS

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Published: Tuesday, 20 July 2010 14:02

I have recently concluded two weeks of evangelistic outreach meetings, in which the Lord gave me precious opportunities to plant the seed of the Gospel into the lives of men and women. Some of these men and women might be described, by the world, as ‘moral outcasts’ of society. But as I was praying a couple of days ago, for those many souls which sat under God’s Word of Truth, I was reminded of Luke 15:1-2.

Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

This 15th chapter of Luke, is one of the most precious chapters in all of the scriptures. It has been used by the Lord on countless occasions; both in the conversion of sinners and to comfort the saints! When we understand the context of these 3 parables found in Luke 15, we are reminded that these liberal scribes, along with the conservative Pharisees, were continually murmuring against the Lord, because “the so-called low-life” of society drew near to Jesus; and Jesus was drawing near to them! Friends, to the religious crowd, it was not a source of delight that this was taking place; on the contrary, these events were disgusting to them. They could not understand why the Lord Jesus would have anything to do with these wicked “sinners”. Like many today, they were happy to receive people, whom they considered to be of their own “social status”, into their external fellowship. However, they utterly refused to receive these so-called “low-class” people. They were focused on their “targeted audience”; but they demonstrated no compassion for those who might be outside of their preconceived ideas of acceptability! The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were so enslaved in their own selfrighteousness, that they refused to have anything to do with those, who they saw as living immoral lives. These religious traditionalists exhibited no desire to approach these “sinners”. Just like the elder brother found at the end of this chapter, they would have no joy in the return of a prodigal sinner; and yet, the salvation of a prodigal sinner is “God’s desire and delight”! They were utterly shocked that this Man, who claimed to be the “Messiah”, would receive those whom they had excluded from their company! They had completely missed the purpose of the dispensation of the nearness of God the Son; that He had come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Great Physician had entered into this wicked world to heal morally “sin-sick” souls. The King of glory had left the worship of the angels to purchase the ‘love-gift’ that the Father had given to Him. This bride would be comprised of the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, the tax-gatherers, the harlots, and all other manner of prodigal sinners! He came into the world to save sinners! The Good Shepherd testifies that there is more joy in Heaven over one sinner that comes to repentance, than over ninety-nine “so-called righteous persons”, who falsely imagine that they need no repentance!

JESUS IS STILL RECEIVING SINNERS!

Friends, aren’t you thankful that Jesus still receives sinners and fellowships with them? I am so grateful that “this Man receives sinners”; because I was the chief of sinners! It still amazes me, that Jesus would receive a polluted and profane agnostic musician, as I once was; and then transform this wretch into a trophy of His grace! It astounds me that He would then give me the privilege to “go into the highways and hedges” and compel other sinners to come to the banquet feast of God’s saving grace! ”Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 

Now I can go to any sinner, no matter how contaminated and corrupt they may be, and proclaim to them with personal confidence, that Jesus is still receiving destitute and desperate rebels. I can promise, even to the lowest of the low, that those who come to Him, “He will in no way cast them out.”Brothers and sisters, may we proclaim the message far and wide that “This Man receives sinners and eats with them”. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Lord Jesus still receives drunkards, drug addicts, prostitutes, adulterers, and all manner of sinners, if they will come to Him on His conditions of repentance and faith!

MAY WE BE ACCESSIBLE TO SINNERS!

If the Lord Jesus is always accessible, even to terrible transgressors; may we, as His followers, manifest that same accessibility, even to the worst of the worst. I never feel more alive, unto the Lord and His purposes, than when I am planting His glorious Gospel seed into the lives of prodigal sinners. There is no greater joy in my life, than to stand before a room full of sinners, or to sit with one lost sinner and proclaim that “The Holy Lord of Heaven still receives sinners and eats with them”. Once again, I have been powerfully reminded that the only difference between the best of believers and the worst of sinners, is the “AMAZING GRACE OF GOD”! I will forever be thankful that “This Man receives sinners and eats with them”!