"A friend of sinners!" What a name—what a title to give anyone! What man of the world would not consider it a disgrace to be called "a friend of sinners"? And yet that was what they called Jesus when He was here upon earth.
Who was it who gave Him this title? It was not those who were known to be sinners, but the respectable people, those who thought themselves better than others, those who kept up the outward appearance of religiousness. Speaking of the Lord Jesus, they said, "He receiveth sinners, and eateth with them!"
Although this is the title they gave Him—they, the respectable and religious people of that day—how true it was then! And how true it is to this very day! They little thought what a reality His friendship for the sinner was. They knew nothing of their own need of His friendship and His help. They hated Him because His presence and His words proved them to be sinners themselves, and showed that their covering of religiousness was a greater sin than any other, for it tried to cover up what could not be hidden from God's all-seeing eye.
Do you admit that you are a sinner? If so, there is a Friend for you. The Lord Jesus Himself tells us: "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in our sins of God in His grace and mighty power. And then He speaks of Himself: "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners." "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Notice the words: not only to save, but to seek and to save.
Fellow-sinners! God's Word says that "there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." But the promise is to "WHOSOEVER believeth in Him." Can you not rest in Him, the One who took the sinner's place and suffered in the sinner's stead? For "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).