February 27

A Friend of Publicans and Sinners.—Matthew 11:19.

THIS was the charge the Jews brought against Jesus. John, they had despised, because of the austerity of his manners; and Jesus, who practised no such austerities, but freely mingled with the people, is hated and rejected, because he was the friend of publicans and sinners. If they intended the charge to include Christ's indifference to the conduct of the ungodly and profane, it was utterly false; it was an impious and wicked libel. Jesus hated sin, he abhorred the very appearance of evil. He never gave countenance to the least impropriety, much less to the glaring transgressions of men. But if they meant he did not sympathise with them in their pharisaical pride, that he did not despise and hate the sinner; then they uttered a truth, a truth conferring the greatest lustre on Christ's character; and a truth forming a strong basis for the hopes of the unworthy children of men. Jesus was the friend of publicans and sinners. He came from heaven to visit them, to open their eyes, and to exalt them from all the ruinous and debasing influences of sin. The leprosy of iniquity, had spread itself entirely over the whole system; and as the great physician, he went among his diseased patients, administering unto them the balm of health and life. He was the friend both of their bodies and souls; he came to heal the one, and to save the other. He was the friend of all the publicans and sinners; he did not despise the poorest, nor reject the vilest of them, from the fifty, to the five hundred pence debtor; he freely forgave all who came unto him. His friendship to sinners was of the most expensive character. It cost him all that is included in leav ing heaven, and its riches, and its joys, and its glories; and all that is comprehended in becoming a man, an unparalleled sufferer, and an atoning sacrifice. And Jesus is still the friend of publicans and sinners. Amidst all the changes he has experienced in leaving the cross for a throne, in leaving Golgotha for Paradise, he is still the compassionate friend of the sinner, and whosoever cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out.