Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Friend of Sinners

Reading: Luke 7:33-50

Key Verse: The Son of Man came ... and you say, ‘Here is a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” v.34

Within Israel at this time there were various social classes. There was a large Roman army of occupation, collaborators who worked with them such as tax collectors, Pharisees, priests and scribes who upheld Jewish region, the working population of fishermen, carpenters, farmers etc. and then the lowest of the low: drunkards and prostitutes. The religious leaders looked down on and despised their social inferiors, especially collaborators and prostitutes. Normally, they would have nothing to do with them.

But Jesus was different. He welcomed the downtrodden, downcast and despised so much that He was named the “Friend of Sinners”. In John 8 He refuses to condemn the women caught in adultery but accepts her as a recipient of His protection, forgiveness, love and care. His actions towards “sinners”, prostitutes and tax collectors like the apostle Matthew were to treat them as friends by welcoming them into His family.

There is nothing you have done, and nothing you can do that will disbar you from the love, protection and care of Jesus. You may walk away and become lost but even then Jesus will seek you out and rescue you as a true friend.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you are my True Friend