FRIEND OF PUBLICANS AND SINNERS

The Pharisees and lawyers didn’t know what they wanted - the asceticism of John the Baptist was too much for these sociable folk, Luke 7. 33, but the social habits of Christ they found equally offensive. He had no prejudices against people, even ‘sinners’. He was comfortable with them, and they with Him. He socialized and ate with them. He was their friend, v. 34. And so, naturally, came this accusation, which they meant as a slander, but which has ever since presented a beautiful picture of the Lord. Thousands, even millions, have come to Christ feeling the oppressive weight of their sins, and have, in this humble guise, found Him to be their Friend! See the woman of Luke 7. 37-38.

It was the whole principle of the incarnation - God, in Christ, came near humanity, and, now, Christ personally came near to the sinners whom He came to save. It might be wise, although troubling, to ask ourselves whether we have ever been accused with similar slander? Do we reach out with friendship to people - sinners - in our poor world? Our Lord did. Of course, He was separate from their sinful ways, Heb. 7. 26, as we should be, Jas. 4. 4, but He was never distant from people.

On the night of His betrayal the Lord must have surprised His disciples as He told them, ‘Ye are my friends’, John 15. 14. After all, they were His students, and it would be unusual for the Rabbi to assume a position so intimate and tender. Further, some of them were from dubious backgrounds, and one was even a publican, Mark 2. 14. But, indeed, they were His friends, the ones with whom He spent so much time over three years.

But how do we become friends with someone so great and wonderful? Abraham was the friend of God because he irusied in the Lord, Jas. 2. 23; John the Baptist, because he introduced Christ to the Jewish nation, John 3. 29; Lazarus because his home was an open oasis of love to our Lord in the hostile desert of the Jewish leaders, John 11. 3,11; the apostle John was Jesus’ friend because he spent time close io Him, John 20. 2. Love is phileo, the word of intimate friendship. In all of these ways we may be the friend of our Lord Jesus too. We would do well to ask ourselves, ‘How is my friendship with Him doing?’