Notorious Sinners

Do we even know any?

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” -Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

I confess, I don’t know anybody that works for the IRS, I’ll have to trust Jesus’s insight on the matter.

But I do know some other notorious sinners. I know their names. I could even say I have a genuine love for many of them. I ache to see them turn fully from their destructions. I have felt the heart of God for them and prayed His deepest and most meaningful blessings over their lives.

But am I willing to get a reputation for spending too much time with them? Can I handle the clock watchers that hang on every minute someones not yet fully convinced or surrendered? Can I endure the critical murmuring that whispers in ears about how friendly we are to people who still smolder from hells fires?

Can I handle being known as a simple laundry doer and diaper changer? Am I comfortable being the one with vomit on my clothes, cleaning blood off church chairs or shit off truck seats?

I remember the judgment that came my way when I crawled into a church after a night using drugs that sent me to the hospital. I was desperate for help but got ugly looks and a reprimand from one of the leaders the next day on the phone. Criticism is easy to give, love and support, not so much these days.

Jesus stood with me though, even in my backslidden foolishness, He didn’t abandon me.

I remember this when it would be easier to yield to the Pharisees.