Jesus ... the "friend of sinners." Ever hear that? It's not uncommon. It's just ... not quite clear. The phrase comes from Scripture. Jesus was talking to the crowds about John the Baptist. John, He said, was Elijah (Matt 11:14). The problem, though, was that the people rejected John ... and Jesus. He says, essentially, "We were playing our tunes and you weren't listening" (Matt 11:16-17). John didn't eat or drink and they said he had a demon (Matt 11:18). Jesus ate and drank and they called Him a glutton and a drunkard, "a friend of tax colletors and sinners!" (Matt 11:19). So ... Jesus was ... "a friend of sinners" ... right? Actually, no. The text is clear. Jesus was accused of being a friend of sinners (and a glutton and a drunkard). Jesus was saying it wasn't any more true than their claim John had a demon.
That being said, was Jesus a friend of sinners? Well, that all depends on how you define it, doesn't it? The most common understanding of the concept is that Jesus didn't condemn anyone. He just ... accepted everyone. You know ... tolerant, inclusive, nonjudgmental. Like ... the woman caught in adultery. "Did no one condemn you?" He asked. "No one, Lord." Jesus famously said, "I do not condemn you, either" (John 8:10-11) but He didn't stop there. He said, "Go. From now on sin no more" (John 8:11). In other words, "You've been sinning; stop." If, by "friend of sinners," we understand it to mean "nonjudgmental and inclusive," Scripture denies it. He seriously took the Pharisees to task in Matthew 23 with wonderful affirmations like "whitewashed tombs" and "serpents, brood of vipers." Not nonjudgmental nor inclusive. He definitely upset the apple cart in the Temple when He threw tables and brought a whip (John 2:13-18; Matt 21:12-16). Not nonjudgmental nor inclusive. Jesus was not that kind of friend.
Jesus did eat with sinners. He did associate with tax collectors. He did heal sinful people and preach the gospel to all who would hear. Jesus did not wink at sin or keep silent on the subject. But, think about it. If sin is harmful to humans, wouldn't a friend want to encourage people to stop? An enabler is bad for a person doing bad things. Jesus was not an enabler. So when encouragement and comfort were needed, Jesus gave it. Because a friend gives encouragement and comfort. And when discipline was required, Jesus gave it, ranging from harsh words to whips. Because a friend does that. So Jesus was a friend of sinners in the best possible sense. He sought their best, either through comfort and encouragement or discipline. May God grant us the wisdom to do the same, not berating sinners when they need encouragement and not encouraging sinners when they need discipline ... and the wisdom to know the difference.
3 comments:
Today we have such a poor definition of what "friend" and "love" mean that it is understandable that we would misunderstand what Scripture means.
I was just recently reflecting on how Jesus told the woman in John 8:10-11 that He did not condemn her, when it seems reasonable that He would/should firmly “call her out.” I realized He could say that because she was not under final judgment, i.e. she still had time and opportunity at that point to repent (and I’m confident that she did). Jesus certainly did have the wisdom to do the exact right thing in each and every circumstance, as He demonstrated a perfect love. I hope to remember that those I seek to encourage and admonish with the truth of God’s Word likewise still have time and opportunity to repent and believe. May I be the type of friend that Jesus was and desire that best thing for others, as you say.
I was thinking this morning of the "Speak the truth in love" text. Yes ... speak the truth. Sin is sin. But "in love." Not condemnation or righteous indignation ... love. The way a friend would speak.
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