“Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 5: 1-2

Jesus loves people who fail, and who know they fail. We are all sinners and practice wrong, because of the selfish inclination of our hearts. But those people who think they are important, above the rest of society, find it very hard to admit their fault. This drawback keeps them from seeking Jesus and seeing their need of Him.

Society always has outcasts. We like to put people down in order to lift ourselves up. We want to feel accepted by the people around us. Some want to make a name for themselves, but this is not the way of Christ. His way is the unknown path, the silent service of true love, and the sacrificial practice in a whole life.

Pharisees and jealous leaders will never find it. Only the needy, the disregarded and the people with sins and failures, can relate to the gospel of need, since that is their daily position. So many of the so-called “good” people won’t be there. It doesn’t seem fair to many, but Jesus accepts repentant sinners and brings them into His kingdom. Whatever our status, this is the way. People who live on the street, have a greater understanding of dependency on God. Whereas the wealthy person in the big house and big income, finds that concept more difficult.

The Pharisees refuse to bow the knee to Jesus. The rich turned away, because they loved their wealth and couldn’t give it up. The road to Jesus and beyond, is for everyone who comes.

We must humble ourselves. See ourselves as Jesus sees us, and recognise we have nothing to give Him. When we take the place off the outcast, then we can we truly enter into all He has stored up for us.. All the things of this life will seem so insignificant and we will grasp better truths of a spiritual life in Christ and the glory of another world. This is the place of repentance and faith. We come to this man and find Him to be our Saviour.