In Luke 15, we find Jesus taking on the establishment, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’“ [vs1-2 NIV]
Jesus, “friend of sinners.” I have often heard that title applied to our Lord. I have often rejoiced in that declaration of Jesus’ love for me—a sinner. Other times I have had someone paraphrase that verse in wrong ways. To them it meant that Jesus accommodates their sin, and that Christians should also.
Yes, Jesus is a friend to sinners. Yes, Jesus loves sinners, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus loves sin, nor that He will accommodate it in anyone. In fact, He suffered and died on a Roman cross because of our sin.
We need to understand what it means when we say that Jesus “welcomes sinners and fellowships with them.” He gave three parables as He explained His love for sinners to these Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Luke 15, beginning in verse 3, speaks of a lost sheep, a lost coin, a lost son. (Read Luke 15 today).
As you read you will notice a commonality through each parable. Something is lost. There is also the common theme of finding what is lost. And there is rejoicing over sinners who repent of their sins. “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [Luke 15:10 NIV]
It is not about abiding in our sin and being friends with Jesus. It’s about abandoning our sin and becoming His disciple.
