Names of Jesus Series: Episode 11 Jesus the Friend of Sinners

Hello, my walking friend! What a blessing to have another day to walk with Jesus! These 10 minutes of walking are going to be so good for your body and soul! Are you ready to get your blood pumping and your heart and mind set on Jesus? Let’s go!

Today is the 11th episode in the names of Jesus series. You want to know something, something you may not like to hear? You are a sinner. So am I. We are all sinners! That is why this name for Jesus should bless your heart.  Today we are reflecting on Jesus, the Friend of Sinners.

Our verse to meditate on today is: Matthew 11:19 NIV

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

The people in Jesus’ time used this name for him in a derogatory way, like it was a bad thing. But aren’t you grateful that Jesus is a friend of sinners?

Take a little time now to meditate on this verse. 

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? 

Here’s a poem that I wrote inspired by this verse and the stories of Zacchaeus and Matthew, two tax collectors.

The Tax Collector

Friend, why are you looking so down and out?
Oh, you’re the tax man? That’s it, no doubt.

What a terrible job! Hated by all!
Never invited. Never a call.

Have you heard about this Friend of sinners?
He attends tax collector dinners.

Oh, and he takes a beating for it, too.
The leaders are livid through and through.

That doesn’t stop the Son of Man, Jesus.
Maybe you heard about Zaccheaus?

A very wealthy tax collector is he,
Who decided he would climb a tree

To see the one called the Son of Man.
But this Jesus had another plan.

“Zacchaeus,” he said, “come on down from there.
I have dinner plans. Do you know where?

Your house, tonight, with you and all your friends.”
Zacchaeus, overjoyed, made amends.

“Half of what I have, I’ll give to the poor.
I’ll change my ways for you, my Savior.”

The crowd muttered about the planned dinner.
“He goes to the house of a sinner!”

Jesus, undeterred, enjoyed his entree
And then to Zacchaeus he did say,

“Don’t worry about this proclamation
For to your house has come salvation.

I have come to seek and to save the lost.
And I will do it at any cost.”

My friend, do you like the story I told?
Your spirits seem lifted sevenfold.

But wait, there’s more that I have to tell you!
Did you hear of the tax man Matthew?

Jesus told him, leave all and follow me.
He obeyed and Jesus set him free.

Then to Matthew’s house they went for dinner.
The crowd cried, “Look! Friend of a sinner!”

“I come to call sinners to repentance,”
Jesus said to all in his presence.

“It is not the righteous I come to call,
But those who are broken by the fall.”

Friend, it doesn’t matter your vocation,
Jesus is the way to salvation.

It doesn’t matter the choices you’ve made,
If you repent, your debt will be paid.

Friend of tax collectors and sinners, too,
He came to die for me and for you.

When Jesus calls and invites you to dine,
Drop everything and with him recline.

Thank you for letting me share! Now let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus, the Friend of Sinners, and what that means to us. 

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

A part of me wants to condemn those who hurt you and called you names. But I know that I, too, have been guilty of hurting you and, in my own way, calling you names. Whenever I put anything ahead of you, I have hurt you. And in those times when I have felt that you have abandoned me, I might as well have called you unfaithful. Jesus, forgive me. I know I am a sinner and I need you, my Savior. I am so grateful that you are a Friend of Sinners in the most loving and sacrificial way. You died for me even while I was still a sinner. What kind of friend does that? A holy and perfect one. I love you, Jesus, and I am beyond grateful that you call me your friend and that you walk with me always. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider.

Have you ever been called names by mean-spirited people? How did that make you feel? Consider your answer now.

To many who thought they were wise, the cross seemed like foolishness. And yet, this is the means that God chose to reconcile his creation to himself. The cross proved that Jesus really was a friend of sinners. What words come to mind when you see a cross? Take some time to think of those words now.

Jesus is a friend to sinners and outcasts. How does that make you feel? Have you ever been a friend to an outcast? Take some time to consider your response.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time:

Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Well, you did it! 10 minutes of walking! Give yourself a pat on the back! Thank you for taking the time to walk with me, my friend. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus! And I know that he will bless you above and beyond what you can imagine for spending this time with him. If you liked the poem I shared with you today, you may be interested in my poetry devotional titled Invitations. You can find it by going to my website, LynneLeite.com. For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The October edition focuses on the names of Jesus and is a part of this series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another name of Jesus – Jesus the Creator. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.