A Friend of Sinners
Matthew 11: 19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
When we sin, do we see Jesus as a friend? A friend is someone we turn to when we’re in need, someone who helps us, stands by us, and never abandons us during tough times. Is this how we see Jesus? The Pharisees saw in Jesus’ lifestyle a friendship and compassion for the common man, even the outcast and sinful. Their remarks, though intended to rebuke and insult, revealed a truth we often forget: Jesus is a friend of sinners.
We have been taught to see Jesus as a judge, rather than a friend. We have been told to shape up, do right, and live free. Yet none of these things can be accomplished in our own strength. The works of the flesh will always fall short of the standard of a holy God. We need help, support, and encouragement to be all that we are called to be. Simply put, we need a friend. Jesus is that friend.
Christ’s holiness does not negate His compassion. He is a friend of sinners. The One who ate with tax collectors, spoke to outcasts and sought the broken, comes and meets with us where we are. In Jesus own words, “Those who are sick need a doctor” (Mark 2: 17) Those who are sinning need a Savior. Don’t believe the lie that Jesus is a fair-weather friend: One who is close when things are going well but leaves when we fail, mess up, get depressed or lose our way. Jesus does not leave. He is forever faithful, even when we are not.
Jesus has already paid for our sin and will walk us through to the completion of our salvation. He has begun a good work in us, and He will finish it. He is our advocate who is on our side. He is the Saviour who took our punishment. He is the Redeemer who leads us in the victory that He has already provided. Others may abandon, people may condemn, but the One who is a friend to sinners, does not let go. He is there in the darkest valley, and He becomes the very pathway that brings us into freedom.
