Do Christians Hate Sinners?
“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’” And he rose and followed him.” Matthew 9:9
One day Jesus was walking down the street and he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Matthew did not have a job that was respected by the Jewish people. In fact, he was considered a traitor. For that reason, a tax collector could expect the disdain and perhaps even the curses of those he met as he walked along the street. Only those who had lost all regard for the opinion of others would serve as a tax collector.
We would think that Jesus would have called highly regarded people to be his disciples. After all, that would give respectability to his cause! When Jesus saw Matthew, however, he stopped, looked squarely at him and said, “Come and follow me.” Matthew got up from his desk and followed Jesus. He would become one of his closest followers.
It is in this same way that Jesus calls people today to become his disciples. He does not call people because of what they can do for him but what he can do for them. If we think that we have no reputation or standing, it does not preclude us from being a disciple of Jesus. In fact, this is just the kind of person Jesus calls.
The gospel of Matthew says that Matthew threw a dinner party for Jesus and invited many of his tax collector friends. This gave the religious leaders the opportunity to slander Jesus with disparaging remarks. Because he associated with ordinary people, the religious leaders said, “He is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” This was meant to demean Jesus because of the company he kept. This practice still exists today, especially in the political realm. Politicians who do not wish to argue the issues resort to vilification and personal attack. In fact, almost all political ads seem to be of this sort.
The title that the religious leaders gave to Jesus turned out to be a badge of honor. Jesus was and is a friend of sinners. All who recognize their sin and wish to find forgiveness, find a friend in Jesus. Jesus is the friend of sinners! As sinners in need of grace, in Jesus we find a friend. Still today, he calls people of no reputation to become his disciples. In his great mercy, he forgives all who come to him.