Jesus "Friend of Sinners"

Luke 7:34

Luke 7:34 ESV

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

The Pharisees placed judgement on Jesus because of his interaction with ‘sinners”

They falsely called Him a glutton and drunkard.

They accurately but with a negative connotation described Him as a friend of sinners.

They said it as if He joined in on the sin or stood by in encouragement of the sin that others were participating in.

This we know is false.

1 Peter 2:22 ESV

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus was sinless!

He may have talked and ate with those who were participating in sin, but He never joined in, He never participated in sin.

So why did Jesus associate with sinners?

Why did He befriend those who were living sinful lives.

Luke 5:32 ESV

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Not that any are righteous, but there are those, like the Pharisees, who thought themselves to be righteous.

Jesus did not come to call the self righteous? Well, He certainly would, but if you believe you are self righteous then you dont see your need for a Savior.

Jesus came for sinners.

But notice what His purpose is with the sinners.

Not to hang out and join in with the sinful activities.

But to show them their error, to call them to repent, to turn away from sin

And of course ultimately He came to give them the opportunity to repent and be forgiven.

Luke 5:27–32 ESV

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

John 8:10–11 ESV

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”