Luk_15:2. Christ Receiving Sinners
"This man receiveth sinners."’97Luk_15:2
The Pharisees were the greatest enemies Jesus had to encounter in his holy career of mercy and salvation. They were filled with spiritual pride, and were so self-righteous, that they treated with disdain the message of grace published by Christ. In addition to this, they wished to monopolize the profession of religion to themselves, and instead of rejoicing in the repentance of the profligate and profane, they treated such with disdain and contempt. It is said in ver. 1, that all the publicans, &c., drew near to Christ; this was quite sufficient for these envious Pharisees and scribes and "they murmured, saying," &c., &c. This sentiment, which they uttered in malice and wickedness, was the occasion of that beautiful series of parables, beginning with the lost sheep, and ending with that of the prodigal son. The sentiment expresses the very glory of the gospel; it is one we would convey to earth’s utmost bound. "This man receiveth sinners." Let us consider,
I. The Description of Sinners Chris will receive.
Sin is the transgression of the law. A sinner is a transgressor. Now, this is a character applicable to all men. "For all have sinned;" "All we like sheep," &c. But all are not equally involved in sin, some are hundred pence debtors, some thousand; the sins of some are as scarlet, others doubly died, as crimson. Now, Jesus will receive,
1. Sinners of all ages.
He loves such as seek him early; he says such shall assuredly find him, but he will not reject those of maturer age. There is hope even for the gray-headed transgressor, at the eleventh hour; he sent his servants to invite, &c.
2. Sinners of all stations.
God showed mercy to the royal Manasseh, and to Nebuchadnezzar. He will not reject on this account, but he will not despise the poor and wretched of mankind. He healed the nobleman’s son, and ruler’s daughter, and he showed mercy, too, to the poor woman of Canaan, and to the blind beggar Bartimeus. External circumstances do not affect the compassion of Jesus. He receives,
3. Sinners of all degrees.
Those who have been outwardly moral, as the young man; those who have been abandoned and profligate, as Mary Magdalene; those who have been desperately vile, as the thief, &c.; those who have been cruel and malevolent, as Saul and as the Jerusalem murderers. No amount of guilt and enormity can overtop his power and willingness to save. The disease cannot be too universal, nor the depravity too desperate. "It is a faithful saying &c. Consider,
II. Into what Jesus receives Sinners.
He receives them,
1. Into his forgiving grace and favor He did not come to condemn the sinner’97to destroy the lives of sinners, but to save them. The foundation blessing of salvation is the forgiveness of sin. It is his prerogative to forgive sinners; he did so in the days of his flesh; he died for this, and he is exalted a prince and a Saviour, &c.; he not only pardons, but graciously receives them into his affectionate regards.
2. He receives them into his family.
See the prodigal not only forgiven, but made welcome; family feast, garment, ring. Christ has a spiritual family on earth, called his church, his kingdom, his fold; an association of believing souls, over which he presides, which he blesses, &c. Now, into this happy community he receiveth sinners; aliens and foreigners are made citizens; those afar off, made near; those once not beloved, and not a people, now beloved, and the sons and daughters of the Lord.
3. He receives them into his heaven.
Hence, the penitent malefactor was the earnest and pledge of the eternal salvation, even of the vilest sinners. Jesus has opened a way to heaven for sinners; he sits in heaven to dispense the blessings of salvation to sinners; he gives a title for heaven to sinners; he sends his Spirit, to dwell in the souls of sinners, and to guide them to heaven, and when they die, he admits to his everlasting kingdom and glory.
III. The Way and Manner in which Christ receiveth Sinners.
1. He receives them in the way of acknowledgment and confession.
He that denies his sin, or he that covers his sins, he rejects. "He that confesseth," &c. "If we confess," &c. David confessed; publican confessed; prodigal confessed. If we feel our sins, there will be deep and sincere confession.
2. He receives them in the way of repentance, or turning from sin.
He saves from, not in, or with their sins. Rebellion must end; sin must be forsaken; way of iniquity abandoned. He requires that they forsake all He receives in the way of humility and faith.
To believe in him, both in his ability and willingness, was, and ever will be essential. The leper came and said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst." Now, we must believe in his power and readiness to save; rely entirely on him for salvation. We see striking evidences of this faith in the people who let the sick through the roof; in the woman who touched the hem of his garment. This is the only way in which Jesus receiveth, &c. Now, as to the manner in which Christ receives them.
1. Most freely.
So far from being reluctant, he is deeply solicitous. He waits, invites, exhorts, entreats, expostulates, &c.
2. Most tenderly.
He does not wound by upbraiding. "He upbraideth not." He did not upbraid Matthew, the tax-gatherer, nor Zaccheus, the extortioner, nor Mary, the sinner, nor the thief.
3. Most readily.
That is, at once. He does not parley, does not send them to the desert of Sinai, nor to the school of reformation, but just as they are, at once, with open heart and arms, &c.
Application
1. The subject is one to which every believer’s heart responds. Remember when you were first alarmed, &c. How readily Christ, &c.
2. The subject is full of encouragement to the inquiring sinner. Do not hesitate, do not doubt, &c.
3. The subject is limited to the present life. Here only he receives. No mercy, no pardon, no salvation in the grave.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS