Luke 15:1–2: “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.'”
February 26th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotionalDoctor Luke made a captivating observation when he said, “sinners drew near to Him [Jesus].” Luke 4:22 also tells us the crowd’s impression of Him: “So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” The Apostle John wrote that Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, italics added). He was full of truth, meaning He spoke the truth; He didn’t hold back the reality of God’s character or the seriousness of sin. But He was also full of grace, meaning He spoke those truths in a gracious manner. Paul later wrote to the Romans: “the kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4, NASB).
Why were sinners attracted to Jesus? They were attracted to the grace that was coming from Him. Unlike the religious people of His day (and some still today), He wasn’t bashing people over the head with Scripture. For the Pharisees and scribes, a sinner meant someone who was not a practicing Jew. And Jesus freely associated with such people, not despising them but loving them. The rejects and outcasts of society were drawing near to listen carefully to what He was teaching, despite the difficult message on discipleship that He had given in the last chapter, because they sensed that He loved them.
As the religious complained and murmured, “This man receives sinners,” Jesus gave them (and us) the parable of the shepherd who had 100 sheep and left 99 of them to go find the 1 that was lost. He was trying to illustrate for them God’s love for sinners and His joy when even just 1 repents. Jesus didn’t come to earth to catch sinners in their sin and condemn them for it, but to make a way for sinners to be freed from their sin. Jesus came and endured death on a cross because He loves us. Are you a sinner? Draw near to Jesus today and repent; He is full of grace and truth for you.
“LORD, we want to be used by You to speak both grace and truth to the world. Fill our mouths with Your gracious words this day we ask.”