Sinner’s Friend
Then he added, “Now you should go and study the meaning of the verse: I want you to show mercy, not just offer me a sacrifice. For I have come to invite the outcasts of society and sinners, not those who think they are already on the right path.”
For you and me to be a friend of sinners exactly like Jesus was, is very improbable, but we’re not completely incapable. When we don’t see eye to eye with someone else, it’s easy to pick fights or not say anything at all. We may be very aware of sin in someone else’s life, but we think it’s not our business to intervene. We may tell ourselves we’re not the right person to bring it up and that someone more appropriate should. There’s no easy formula on how to be a friend of sinners. Unfortunately, our fallen humanity gets in the way. But Jesus set a pretty good roadmap to follow, and it’s worth working it out in our lives.
First, His regular communion with God the Father and understanding of the written promises in Scripture provided a solid foundation. It equipped Him, as it would for us, to go out into the world. Second, wherever He went, Jesus was intentional about keeping His spiritual “spidey senses” attentive and leaped into action when someone needed the kind of freedom only He could give. And lastly, Jesus put the relationship first, creating a safety zone that allowed for people to let down their defenses to the ministry of Jesus, and receive His help and healing.
We can do the same. We can follow his example. Stay in communion with the Father and read the Bible. The more we experience the love of the Father and grow in understanding of His promises and His ways, the better equipped we are to be a friend who shows others the Jesus that does not condemn, but redeems and restores.
