Christ can take the most sin-laden, selfish, evil person
and bring forgiveness and new life.
~ Billy Graham

It’s no secret Jesus was a friend to sinners. He was most comfortable with the “least of these.”

From birth, He was numbered with the transgressors. Mary and Joseph were coming to Bethlehem to register their names. A census was being taken and each person had to go to his or her capital city to register. Jesus was numbered with sinners.

The fact that Jesus was circumcised numbers Him with sinners. Circumcision was a rite administered admitting that one was a sinner. Clipping the extra skin signified the Hebrew shouldn’t have sin in his life—we should be circumcised from sin. Jesus was circumcised signifying He identified with us. Jesus, a friend of sinners.

In Luke 5:27-29 we read the account of Matthew, a tax collector, and his decision to follow Jesus Christ. A tax collector wasn’t thought highly of in that day. They were classified as greedy, often taking more money than they were entitled to.

Excited about his decision, Matthew hosted a banquet in his home, inviting all the publicans and sinners together. Among this motley crew, Jesus was the guest of honor. Jesus, a friend of sinners.

In John chapter 4, we read of Jesus and an adulterous Samaritan woman at a well. Jesus knew she had five husbands, yet living with a man who wasn’t her husband. Still, Jesus sat at the well with her, not to condemn or judge her, but to minister to and encourage her. Jesus, a friend of sinners.

Jesus was a friend to blind Bartimaeus beside the road, to Nicodemus at midnight, and Zacchaeus, whom He had a meal with. Jesus, a friend of sinners.

In His last dying breaths on the cross, Jesus saved a thief saying, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” {Luke 23:43, NLT} Jesus, a friend of sinners.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say,
“Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine,
and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”
Luke 7:34 {NCV}

I say praise God that Jesus is a friend of sinners. Praise God He eats with sinners. Praise God He sits and communes with sinners. Praise God He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” {Mark 2:17 NLT}

Friends, we are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the glory of God.

All of us.

One of us is no better than the next.

Can we too, come along side the broken-hearted, the needy, and the fallen? Not with judgment and condemnation, but with love and grace?

Following in the footsteps of our Savior, shouldn’t we too, be a friend of sinners? <– tweet this

Jesus, Friend of Sinners
:: Written by Matthew West and Mark Hall
Performed by Casting Crowns ::

Jesus friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

{chorus}

Oh Jesus friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

Jesus friend of sinners the one who’s writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we’re for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

{chorus}

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

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