Healing the Shamed: An Adulteress. “In the middle of Jesus’ teaching in the temple courts, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowds and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone. Then they said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we …
Jesus and Sinners: The Lost Coin. “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him teach. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So Jesus spoke these parables to them…” (Luke 15:1-2). In response to the Pharisees’ grumbling and muttering about Jesus …
Jesus and Sinners: The Lost Sheep. “Many dishonest tax collectors and other notorious sinners often gathered around to listen as Jesus taught the people. This raised concerns with the Jewish religious leaders and experts of the law. Indignant, they grumbled and complained, saying, ‘Look at how this man associates with all these notorious sinners, eats …
Jesus and Sinners: The Two Thieves. Please read this story in Luke 23:39-43. When Jesus was raised on the cross, he found Himself hanging between two thieves on their crosses, one thief on the right and the other thief on His left. The two thieves might have been similar in their criminal behavior, but it appears …
Jesus, Friend of Sinners. “Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and especially wicked sinners.” (Matthew 11:19). An Inside look at Levi Matthew’s Banquet for Jesus. Please read the story of Matthew’s party in Matthew 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17, and Luke 5:29-32. Also refer to Luke 15:1-2 and 19:1-7. LADIES OF THE …
Jesus and Sinners: Judas. “So Judas came straight to Jesus, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ he exclaimed, and gave Him a kiss. Jesus said, ‘My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.’ Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested Him.” (Matthew 26:49-50). The tragic life of Judas Iscariot is well documented in the Gospels. He was …
Jesus and Sinners: Matthew’s Outcasts. “Later, Levi (Matthew) invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.” (Mark 2:15). Please read the story about Jesus and the sinners in Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, and Luke …
Jesus and Sinners: A Prostitute. “Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet …
Jesus and Sinners: The Rich Young Ruler. “Now a certain ruler came up to Jesus and asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ … But the man was sad at what Jesus said, and he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:17,22). Please read the story of Jesus …
Jesus and Sinners: The Adulteress. “When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:10-11). Please read …
Jesus and Sinners: Zacchaeus. “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house!’ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.” (Luke 19:5-6). Please read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10). …
Jesus and Sinners: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Barbara Brown Taylor, in her sermon “In the Name of Law and Order,” posed an intriguing question: Who was Jesus thinking of when He asked the Father to forgive “them?” Who is “them?”I decided to take her question and …