It is good news to us that Jesus is a friend of sinners. Jesus did not just come for the sophisticated or rich. He did not come to call the self-righteous. He came to call sinners to repentance. Peter realised he was a sinful man when he met Jesus. See Luke 5:7-8. Paul realised Jesus was a friend of sinners. See 1 Timothy 1:15.

1 – The hospitality of the publican (vs. 9-10)

It is Matthew the author of this Gospel.

• His despised occupation – He is modest when he writes about himself. He was a tax collector. He was the lowest of the low as he worked for the Roman government. It was a licence for extortion. The tax collector would overcharge to get extra for himself. They would accept bribes from wealthier people and spread it around the middle and lower classes. The tax collector was greatly hated by the people. They were excommunicated from Jewish society. They were lower than dogs to the people. Jesus walks up to this man and says “Follow Me”. There is no one beyond the love of Jesus. This is good news for any sinner!
• His delightful obedience – He arose and followed him. He did not make any excuses. Matthew does not mention what he gave up. See Luke 5:27-28. Matthew turned his back on all of his money and possessions. He gave up a lot to follow Jesus. Matthew was not sad to leave his old life behind. He gained more than he lost. This is a sign of true conversion.
• His divine obligation – Matthew felt so overwhelmed that he went home and threw a party and invited all his sinner friends along. See Luke 5:29. Matthew was too modest to mention it. It is a congregation of sinners! Jesus and his disciples are in the midst of them all. We are to be a friend to sinners. We are to tell others when we get saved. We are to influence them for good. We are not to go out with them but rather invite them to come to church. Jesus Christ is a friend of sinners.

2 – The Pharisees hypocrisy

These are the people who react when sinners come into church in the wrong dress or actions.

• Their pain (vs. 11) – They murmur against Jesus about the class of people he is associating with. Their faces have the look of pain. They don’t talk directly to Jesus but rather to his disciples. They should have been there in that group. They wouldn’t admit their sin. They were too self-righteous.
• His purpose (vs. 12-13) – You find a doctor among sick people. If you have people in sin then they need a Saviour. Jesus is a friend of sinners. He is not running away from sinners. Jesus is running toward sinners. Jesus is the only one who can do something about sin. You can’t save yourself. Jesus is calling sinners to Himself. He wants to save the lives of sinners. Why? He is a friend of sinners.

3 – How can we be a friend of Jesus?

Jesus wants to be your friend so you must:-

• Believe that he is the Messiah. See John 8:24 – “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
• Repent (turn away from) your sins. See Luke 13:3-5. Confess the name of Christ. See Matthew 10:32.
• Be baptised into Christ. See Acts 2:38, 22:16.

Categories: Matthew