“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”” Luke 15:1-2 ESV
Reflection: why were sinners drawn to Jesus and his message?
Even as a follower of Christ, it can be pretty intimidating to walk into a new church; especially a large, beautiful building, ornate, in a way representing a “holy place”, a temple, if you will. And if you come there during a service, you will probably see many well dressed people, all seeming to “fit in” or “belong”. To have it all together. Rarely will someone engage with you other than saying “welcome” or “good morning”; then show you to a place to sit down. To listen and follow along with the service. After the service, everyone will quickly leave; perhaps talking with those they arrived with. In some places, we have attended church for months; without anyone trying to get to know us, not even truly approaching us. Not even the pastor.
In today’s focus verse, we learn something truly amazing about our Lord Jesus. About his character and his message. It says that “tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him”. That is just so wonderful to think about, who he was focused on. Keeping in mind that he was the Son of God, and the very people that were supposedly the “farthest away” from God were drawn near to him. Wanting to be close and hear him.
And yet, as we looked at yesterday, the message from Jesus wasn’t in any way “coddling the sinner” or excusing sin. No, he was very clear about sin, and the need to “sin no more”. And, he spoke direct about the cost of following him. So why were sinners then attracted to him, wanting to hear him? They knew very well that the path they had been on didn’t work. They had found the emptiness in a sinful life. That sin really was bondage, and led to suffering. And some of them had arrived at the end of their road. A dead end.
Lost.
Isn’t it amazing that the very next thing Jesus talks about is how the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to search for the one that is lost? He makes it very clear that, while it is lost, it is still his sheep. And when he finds the one that is lost, he brings it home, carrying it on his shoulders. “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:6-7 ESV.
A sinner who repents.
Recognizing that the way of the world only led to misery. Jesus offers a different way. The only way to life. To freedom. There is hope in him, even for the worst of the sinners. They are drawn to him.
Just like a magnet.
Now, the magnetism of Jesus has two polarities. There are those that take great offense to Jesus, and are offended by him. In fact, we read “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”” Luke 15:2 ESV. And we can observe this easily today; those who are drawn to him, and those who reject him.
Who is drawn to us? Today, let’s reflect on whether we as followers of Christ, and our churches, have a similar magnetism of Christ, drawing the sinners close to hear a message of hope.