Jesus, Friend of Sinners

It is an irony of the ministry of Jesus which became an obstruction to the scribes’ and Pharisees’ belief in the Son of Man who from the beginning wanted to eliminate him. After all, who were the sinners living in Israel that contradicted the very Mosaic Law? Prostitutes, Tax Collectors, and Samaritans became the very outcasts of Jewish Law and an obstacle to being called God’s children.

The scribes and Pharisees were following the many scriptures that condemned prostitutes. However, the role of one prostitute provided a way in to the city of Jericho when Rahab saved the two that brought news back to Joshua that the city could be safely attacked. Rahab was a prostitute and she and her whole family were saved during the attack.

“So when Jesus was in the temple area the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle before Jesus. They asked him what he would do about this crime. He only confounded their accusation about this prostitute. (Jn. 8: 1 - 11).

How about the woman who sat at the feet of Jesus and anointed his feet with oil? When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, if this man were a profit, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you. Tell me teacher, he said. Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more? Simon said in reply, The one I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, you have judged rightly. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “ Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (Lk. 7: 36 48). A simple task of welcoming those who are sinners into the kingdom of God.

Tax collectors were also a group the scribes and Pharisees hated. They collected the taxes required by the Romans and added more to suit their own needs. “Jesus was on his way towards Jerusalem when Zacchaeus climbed a Sycamore tree to get a better view of the Lord. Jesus arriving at the spot stopped, looked up and said, Zacchaeus come down and I will dine at your house today.”

(Lk. 19: 1 - 10).

“As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, Follow me. And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? Jesus heard this and said to them, Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

(Mk. 2: 14-17).

Samaritans were a very hated group especially because of the inter-marrying with pagans. “Jesus stopped at Jacob’s well for a drink. There was a Samaritan woman getting water and Jesus asked her for a drink. After a time of communication with her, she went to her village and brought her friends back to meet with Jesus. (Jn. 4: 1- 42).

“Jesus told a parable indicating who our neighbor is, about a man who fell in with robbers, and the only one to assist him was a Samaritan.” (Lk. 10: 30 - 37).

Remember, the church is not a sanctuary for saints it is a haven for sinners. Those of us who come to Church during Lent would qualify to have Jesus stop in for a meal. He comes for us who are sick!

Ralph B. Hathaway, Jesus invites himself to our home.