September 13, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"This man receiveth sinners." — Luke 15:2 · KJV

Observe the condescension in this fact. This Man, who towers above all other men — holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners — this Man receives sinners. This Man, who is none other than the eternal God, before whom angels veil their faces — this Man receives sinners. It needs an angel's tongue to describe such a mighty stoop of love. That any of us should be willing to seek the lost is nothing wonderful — they are of our own race; but that He, the offended God, against whom the sin was committed, should take on the form of a servant, bear the sin of many, and then be willing to receive the vilest of the vile — this is marvelous. "This Man receiveth sinners" — not, however, that they may remain sinners, but He receives them to pardon their sins, justify their persons, cleanse their hearts by His purifying word, preserve their souls by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and enable them to serve Him, show forth His praise, and have fellowship with Him. Into His heart's love He receives sinners; He takes them from the dunghill and wears them as jewels in His crown; He plucks them as brands from the burning and keeps them as costly monuments of His mercy. None are so precious in Jesus' sight as the sinners for whom He died. When Jesus receives sinners, He has no outdoor reception place, no casual ward where He charitably entertains them as men do passing beggars, but He opens the golden gates of His royal heart and receives the sinner right into Himself — yes, He admits the humble penitent into personal union and makes him a member of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. There was never such a reception as this! And this fact is still most sure this evening: He is still receiving sinners. Would to God that sinners would receive Him!