“Come Near To Jesus Christ To Hear Him!”

“Come Near To Jesus Christ To Hear Him!”
Today we have two categories of people who came to Jesus. Luke tells us “all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.” Then we have the Pharisees and the scribes who “complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.'”
The truth is being revealed to us on a daily basis that the “sinners” have recognised their sinfulness and that they stand in need of God’s saving grace. They come to church as their way of drawing near to Jesus to “hear Him.” Ironically, – and we are witnesses to this also on a daily basis that – those who would have made them see and receive the saving grace of Christ are the ones asking, “What are these sinners doing here?”
The big question here is, “Who are you Pharisee or scribe to determine who sinners are and to complain that they too do not deserve salvation?”
The work of the scribe is to read and interpret the scriptures and tell the sinner how God loves him. Jesus came for sinners like us and not for the self-acclaimed righteous!
Jesus emphasises on this that there “will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance…”(Lk.15:1-10).
Check yourself to see where you fit. Have you come near to Jesus as a sinner to hear Him and repent or are you there as a scribe to complain that Jesus receives sinners?
Bear this in mind: heaven rejoices over a repented sinner than those who lay claim to their self-righteousness!
My friend, come now to the Lord with a contrite and repentant heart because “Sinners Jesus will receive…Christ receiveth sinful men.”
Prayer: Holy Spirit bring me to the presence of the Lord to hear Him and be saved and not to condemn others while I claim self-righteousness. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!