Luke 5:27-32
Jesus invited Levi to follow Him and, in turn, he left all and gave a reception at His house: “…and there
was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people…” (29b). Note, Jesus attracted sinners but not by
toning down His message or adding entertaining elements to make them comfortable. They were
attracted to Jesus because He offered transformed lives. When religious people criticized Him for
hanging with sinners, Jesus responded, ‘…’It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those
who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (31b-32). Like Jesus, we
are to be friends of sinners, but we are not called to accommodate them or make them comfortable in
sin. We demonstrate the gospel that changes and transforms lives. We do not need a better strategy to
attract sinners, but we do need to return to the pure and powerful gospel calling people to repentance
and transforms living.