"THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS."

Hoa Maori, Issue 18, 1 October 1890, Page 4

"THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS."

Luke 15,1, 2. ffilplHEßE are only two classes of men—uyK those who draw near and hear Christ, and those who hold aloof. "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him." Unsaved reader, have you ever done so f You have heard what others have said about Him, who, it may be, knew Him not. You may listen to your own heart, which totally misrepresents Him: but have you drawn near unto Him to hear Him? Remember that the hour now is when the dead (souls) shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." It is He who speaks in this wonderful chapter. Then draw near unto Him now to hear Him.' " This man receiveth sinners, and eatetli with them." Did He deny the charge ? No, He admitted it fully—it was His glory to receive them. In doing so the glory of His divine origin shone out. "He could not be hid." He was in the midst of sinners. How would He treat them? He would receive them. How could the Son of melt a Father do otherwise ?the Father whose portrait He draws in the third section of this parable. Will He refuse you ? Have you ever drawn near to Him to ascertain? "I am too bad," you say. What, too bad to be a sinner ? Are you sure you are not too good ? You may be too good, but you cannot be too bad. Thank God for that. That robe, that best robe, has covered the chief of sinners, the thief on the cross, a Mary Magdalene, a woman in the city, which was a sinner. That Shepherd sought them, that "woman " (figure of the Holy Ghost) found them, that Father receiveth them, and art thou too vile ? You wrong the blessed Three. " Oh, but He was on earth amongst sinners then, and He is separate from sinners now," do you say ? But is He changed ? Has He ceased to own a Saviour's heart, or to do a Saviour's part? Nay, nay, you wrong Him. The

very last words He spake to us from heaven He spake in the character of " Jesus," the name He received because " He shall save His people from their sins." And what did He say? "Let him that is. athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."— 22, 16, 17. He —will you? I And why is He in heaven ? As the evidence of His finished work accepted. For whom ? For sinnebs. But more, He eateih wrrn them, 15, 2, that is, holds communion with them— sinners saved by grace. Who shall express the grace of this? That He, the Lord of glory, should partake with should bring them to participate in His joys. As we read, " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock ; if any man hear my'voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me."—Eev. 3, 20. That is, that to " any man " amongst self-satisfied, religious professors, who say, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," but whom He sees wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked —Eev. 3, 17 to any who will hear and open, He will come in. And people do not knock on the inside of a door. He is outside. And art thou of those who are keeping the door of their heart barred against the Saviour, and He seeking admission Beware that He rise not up and close His door against allthy importunity.-SeeLuke 13,24-30 On one occasion it was said that He was gone to be the guest of a sinner. And on another— How is it that He eateth and drinketh with sinners." But the Saviour answered, "/came to call sinners to repentance." Oh the condescension of grace! How blessedly the Lord "condescended to men of low estate." Well'may we sing | " But, ah ! the Master is so fair, His smile so sweet to banished man, That those who meet it unaware Can never rest on earth again." W.G.B.