7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
Make no bones about it; Jesus is not a respecter of persons. The Pharisees who muttered in our verse for today were strict in avoiding sinners but not strict in avoiding sin. Jesus, on the other hand, came in sinless perfection for the whole world:
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Tim 1:15-16 (NIV)
In our verse for today we find Jesus refreshing Himself at the house of a heinous and habitual sinner. I am reminded of Jesus’ own words in response to a similar statement in Matthew:
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matt 9:10-13 (NIV)
Jesus’ directed His ministry towards those who realized they have a need. Actually, apart from Christ we are all needy it is just that some, unfortunately for them, are not aware of it. As the sick seek the doctor for relief, those who realize their spiritual poverty and desperate need also seek help – sin is the sickness of the soul. Enter Jesus on the scene – the answer to all of our needs.
“Christianity simply does not make sense until you face the sort of facts I have been describing. Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know that they have anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness. It is after you have realized that there is a real moral law and a power behind the law and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that power - It is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk... (Christianity) tells you how the demands of this law, which you and I cannot meet, have been met on our behalf. How God himself becomes a man to save man from the disapproval of God. It is an old story...All I am doing is to ask people to face the facts - to understand the questions which Christianity claims to answer. And they are very terrifying facts. I wish it was possible to say something more agreeable. But I must say what I think true. Of course, I quite agree that the Christian religion is, in the long run a thing of unspeakable comfort. But it does not begin in comfort; it begins in the dismay I am describing and it is no use at all to go on to that comfort without first going through that dismay. In religion, as in war and everything else comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: If you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth. - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end despair.” CS Lewis, Mere Christianity
Jesus’ response to Paul’s prayer for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh” is applicable for us all:
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV)
God’s perfect power is best displayed against the black background of our human weakness and inability. The realization of our need and of our total inability to save ourselves sends us thirsting for mercy and forgiveness to the Living Water. Jesus came to fill our empty cups. It is within our emptiness and need in approaching Him that our eyes are opened to His offering of mercy and grace.
“He who wants anything from God must approach Him with empty hands.” Robert C. Cunningham
“The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” D. W. Moody
“The man who has been born again, and who has the divine nature within him, is a man who is righteous and his righteousness does exceed that of the ...Pharisees. He is no longer living for self and his own attainments, he is no longer self-righteous and self satisfied. He has become poor in spirit, meek and merciful. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness...He loves God, yes, unworthily, alas, but he loves Him and longs for His glory... (this) is a righteousness that far exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.” D. Martin Lloyd-Jones