p. 6 | THE FRIEND OF SINNERS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1898

THE FRIEND OF SINNERS.

JESUS CHRIST is the Friend of sinners. This was one of the charges which His enemies brought against Him while He was here upon earth.

They said, “Behold, . . . a friend of publicans and sinners!”

And again they said in scorn “that He was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.”

And yet again they said, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.”

Blessed name of contempt, “Friend of Sinners!”—your Friend, my Friend. He is the Friend of all sinners. He who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might be made righteous in Him. 2 Cor. 5: 21. He is the Friend of sinners to take away the sin. The poor, loathsome leper, from which every one shrank with horror, could come to Him with the pitiful prayer, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,” and the Friend of sinners stretched forth His ever-gracious hand and touched him, and said, “I will; be thou clean,” and immediately the leper was cleansed.

That miracle was wrought and recorded that the lowest sinner might have hope. Jesus Christ is as able, as willing, to save the lowest sinner as He was to save that leper.

O soul sunken in sin, do you not want to be saved? Do you wish a Friend who can save you?—Go to Jesus Christ; He “receiveth sinners.” Others may spurn you, repulse you; but He will not. He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” So has He redeemed, so will He cleanse you. Do not wait to make yourself better; you can not do that. He wants you to come just as you are, just as the leper did. Go to Him; He “receiveth sinners;” He will receive you, for He declares again, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in nowise cast out.”

“Sing it o’er and o’er again, Christ receiveth sinful men.”