Numbers 24 and 25, Luke 7: 15-35, Psalm 46
Luke 7: 34 (ESV)
“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say,
‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and
sinners!’”
I heard an interesting interpretation of verse 34 from Luke
7 by David Guzik, a pastor at the Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara – see his
commentary (https://enduringword.com/media/luke-7-witness-forgiven-woman/).
Religious leaders at the time didn’t want to associate with sinful people
because it was a badge of honor to do that. That’s why they made this comment
about Jesus. But Guzik said that Jesus was a friend of tax collectors and
sinners because he loved them and wanted to meet them where they were at. He
did not despise them. His heart and compassion went out to them because he
wanted to help and rescue them from their sin, to transform their lives so they
are no longer under the bondage of sin. Jesus loved sinners just the way they
are, but he loved them too much to leave them where they were at and wanted to
transform their lies. I love this interpretation. Jesus loves me enough just
the way I am, but he loved me too much to leave me where I am. He wants to
transform my life and free me from the bondage of sin. People get it so wrong.
Yes, Jesus loves us as sinners and accepts us, but that acceptance doesn’t come
without wanting us to transform our lives from sin. That’s the power of Christ’s
sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He died for our sins on the cross, otherwise
it would be us instead of him on the cross.
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