Jesus was the Master Teacher who taught everywhere he went. He taught in the synagogues, in the countryside, in a boat, in private homes. Wherever and whenever the opportunity arose, he set forth the wonderful words of life, condemning sin against the backdrop of forgiveness promised to those who repent. He made plain the commandments of God by calling out hypocrisy yet revealing God’s mercy to those who come to him in simple faith. Yes, he was the Master Teacher and “the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29).
Jesus was not just the Master Teacher, but he was an exceedingly popular Teacher. The Scriptures tell us that “the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about” (Luke 4:37) and “the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). But not everyone looked favorably on him.
On one occasion there “drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him” (Luke 15:1). Publicans were Jews who served as tax collectors for the Roman government and usually made themselves rich at the expense of their Jewish brethren. Consequently, they were much despised by their countrymen. And so “the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2).
Our Lord used this opportunity to teach of God’s great love for sinners. “And he spake this parable unto them [the Pharisees and scribes], saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over the ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:3-7).
The Pharisees and scribes found fault with Jesus for “receiving sinners and eating with them.” These men were filled with a self-righteousness that had no merit before God. They saw themselves as blameless before the law, but in reality, they were blind to their true condition before God. They would count themselves as those in Christ’s parable “which need no repentance.” Those who cannot see their own sin will never repent, yet Jesus warned “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
The message of the gospel is for sinners, those who see and acknowledge their sin before God. These are the ones whom our Savior is seeking for he proclaimed, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Our Lord is still seeking sinners. He promises forgiveness to those who repent and trust in his shed blood for their sin. Salvation is of the Lord, and he delights in one lost sinner who repents and comes to him. Is there joy in heaven because you have repented?
From the Chaplain 