1901

October 1, 1901

Association with Sinners

EGW 

Christ joined Himself to human life, and He identifies Himself with humanity in every detail of experience. Be careful how you deal with human minds. Christ has paid the ransom money for every soul. SSW October 1, 1901, par. 1

There are many in the bondage of sin who might be rescued if they were only approached in tenderness, and with Christlike sympathy. The human agent looks at outside appearances, and judges hastily, but God looks at the heart. “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.” The calling of publican was thought the most abominable by the Jews, and it was not calculated to refine the character. “And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him; for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” SSW October 1, 1901, par. 2

Jesus called both the Jews and the Gentiles to be laborers together with God. He called many who were open sinners, whom men would have passed by. He saw in them jewels to be polished for the heavenly kingdom. Jesus sat at meat with both the Pharisee and the sinner. He was an invited guest at the feast of Matthew, and He invited Himself to dine with Zacchaeus. SSW October 1, 1901, par. 3

It was because of the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees on account of His associating with sinners and publicans that Jesus spoke the parable of the lost sheep, the lost silver, and the prodigal's son. All these parables are intended to teach us mercy and forgiveness. SSW October 1, 1901, par. 4