JESUS CHRIST, THE SINNER'S FRIEND.
By F. C. Gilbert
WHEN the Saviour was here upon earth, and walked a Man among men, the leaders of the Jewish Church, the scribes and Pharisees, brought a very strong accusation against Him, by which they had hoped to lead the minds of many away from Him. They did not accuse Him of being wealthy. The accusation was not that He was exclusive, and mingled only with such as belonged to a certain class, or peculiar sect. But the awful accusation that was brought against Him, and the dreadful charge that was laid at His door, was none other save that He received sinners and publicans, mingled with them as persons fit to be associated with, and even went so far as to accept invitations to their homes, and partake of their hospitality. Luke 15:2; Mark 2:15; Matt. 9:10, 11. The question might very naturally arise, Who were these classes that were so ostracized from the society of these leading men? and how was it regarded by them to be found mingling with such people? Whatever the answer may be, one thing is certain,—this charge that was brought against Him seemed to trouble Christ very little, save that it encouraged Him to continue in the line of work which He had undertaken. The publicans were a class of people whose business it was to gather the taxes; and very frequently the office was used for all manner of injustice and fraud, especially when the law could be utilized to enforce their unjust claims. This class of people used to be found chiefly among the Romans, and of course were very much hated by the Jews; for the Jew thought it more than wicked to be taxed by an alien power. But in the days of Christ many of the Jews themselves sought this kind of business as a means of livelihood, as well as to gain wealth. Then the hatred of the Jews was much increased because even of their own people should be found those who not only considered the tribute as legal, but actually engaged in the work of collecting it themselves. Because these Jews did this kind of work, they were considered as very bad. They were not allowed to mingle in synagog or temple worship; their testimony would not be received in a Jewish court; in fact, they had no privileges whatever in Jewish society, and were classed with the heathen. Matt. 18:17. A fair illustration of the publican's unpopularity with the Pharisees and the scribes is given by the Saviour in Luke 18:11: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." It will be seen from this scripture that the publican was associated with everything that was vile. The other class designated as "sinners" was considered to be a very wicked set, and nothing in sin and wickedness was too bad for them to do. How these people were regarded by the Pharisees is well illustrated in Luke 7:37-50. Christ went into the house of7Simon, the Pharisee, who once had been a leper, and the Saviour healed him. The wealthy Jew had made a feast in honor of the Saviour, the Jewish way of showing appreciation for kindness rendered. While at the feast a woman came in, unobserved by many, and silently stole her way to the couch upon which the Saviour was reclining. Stealthily she made her obeisance to the Master, and then manifested her appreciation of Him by anointing Him with a very precious ointment. The fragrance of this ointment attracted the attention of the host, and behold, there he saw this woman performing the act of anointing the Saviour. Almost horror-stricken, the rich Jew began to question within himself whether Jesus were what he thought Him to be. "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This Man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touched Him; for she is a sinner." It was evident that she was well known in the community where she lived, as a bad woman, and from other scriptures it is clear that she was none other than Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils. See Luke 8:2; compare Mark 14:3, and John 11:2. Thus we see that these people were very bad people, and not fit for ordinary society; so the Jews in those days regarded them. Now, to mingle with either or both of these classes was to be as bad as they were, and, of course, all intercourse was cut off by their fellows. So that in the eyes of the Jew, to be a publican or a sinner was to be about as bad as a person could be. Now the Saviour knew just how these people were considered by the rest of the Jews, and in what light He would be regarded if He associated with them. Nevertheless, with this knowledge of the facts, He mingled with them. So when the charge was brought against Him of doing such an awful thing, and making such a breach in religious etiquet, He made the following reply: "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I AM NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE." Matt. 9:12, 13. O, what blessed truth did the Saviour declare in this reply—truth that not only brought joy to the hearts of men, but gave joy and pleasure to all the angelic host! Thus, from this scripture, it is both clear and evident that Jesus Christ took His position with the downtrodden, the outcast, and the debased of this world. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." This is what Jesus Christ came to this world for; and all that was necessary for a person in Christ's day to acknowledge, in order to secure help from Jesus, was that he was a sinner. This, the poor publican realized when he went up to the temple to pray. Luke 18:13. He desired help from the Lord, and help he certainly must have. But he had nothing in the world to bring to God as a recommendation to secure His favor. All he knew was that he was a sinner, and all he could tell the Lord about himself was what he knew. And this was all that was necessary with Jesus Christ. So it is a settled fact that when Christ was here upon earth He actually was the Friend of publicans and sinners. This is the record of the Word of God. But for what was that record made? Was it merely for the people who lived in the days of Christ?—Nay, verily. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. Then it is as literally true to-day as it was in the days when Jesus walked in this world, that Jesus Christ is the sinner's Friend. Did He not Himself say: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever" (Heb. 13:8); "I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal. 3:6)? And with God there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Jas. 1:17. Thus, we see that Jesus is the same Friend of sinners to-day. And did not the apostle Paul learn this fact in his experience? "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:15. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20. O glorious thought!—Jesus Christ, the sinner's Friend. The same Jesus, with the same tenderness, with the same unchanging love, with the same long-suffering and kindness, is as great a Friend to sinners to-day as He was when here nineteen hundred years ago. And the only argument we need to bring before God as a reason why He should accept us, is to tell Him we are sinners. Jesus Christ came to save sinners, and call them to repentance. And "him that cometh to Me, I will in nowise cast out." John 6:37. How beautiful to actually know and realize that this is so! It makes no difference how low we have fallen in this world; how much we have been, or may be, ostracized by our fellowmen; how very bad we may be regarded in this world; if we will only come to Jesus Christ, He will associate Himself with us, and tell us, in person, that He is our Friend. He will forgive us all our sins; He will speak the word, "Forgiven;" He will receive us as a brother, a friend, an associate. Yes, it will even bring joy to the hearts of the angels, if we will only come to Jesus Christ, and accept Him as a Friend. Luke 15:10. O, what a dear Friend is this Jesus! Yes, He is a Friend that will stick closer than a brother. And tho all friends and relatives in this world may fail because of our adversity or sorrows in life, He will never turn away, for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Sinner, friend, have you become acquainted with this dear Friend, Jesus? Are you sick and tired of sin? Are you conscious that you need the Balm of Gilead, and healing to the soul? Jesus Christ came to call sinners to repentance; for those who are sick need the Physician. He will heal you of all your sin-sickness; He will bring peace and joy to your soul; He will give you of His love and mercy, that you will know for yourself that Jesus Christ is your Friend. "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." "Sinners Jesus will receive,
Even me with all my sins."