Jesus also was called many things in His day that I think were intended to be insults but in fact were glorious titles with which to crown our Lord. “Friend of Sinners” was one of them:
Matthew 11:19 — The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Many in His generation had no intention of being seen dead in the company of “sinners” who might make them ceremonially unclean. They would cross the street to avoid them and condemn any who would allow “sinners” to touch them.
For those of us who know Jesus, then, it is far from an insult that He would be called “Friend of Sinners” - because that is what He is to us - a friend. And what a friend! He looked upon us when we were hopelessly bound in the foul and wretched pit of our sin. He did not loathe us, but loved us. He did not simply offer advice on how we might get ourselves out. He did not give an opinion on how we may avoid falling back in if we ever did get out. No, no, no! This pure and spotless Lamb of God left heaven in order to come down into our pit, take the blame and the punishment for our sin, cover us with His spotless righteousness, break our chains and lift us fully, freely and permanently up from the pit!
And He is not ashamed to be called the Friend of Sinners - our friend. Nor will He ever stop being our friend:
Hebrews 13:5–6 — Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
And that is how I started to think about this today, because I read this wonderful verse in the Book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 18:24 — A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He is more than a companion to us, and as our Friend He sticks closer to us than any earthly brother! Quite an encouragement for us to cleave also to Him - especially in these days! Of course, a hymn came to mind as I dwelt on this topic:
One there is, above all others,
well deserves the name of Friend;
his is love beyond a brother's,
costly, free, and knows no end.
They who once his kindness prove
find it everlasting love.
Which of all our friends, to save us,
could or would have shed his blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
reconciled in him to God.
This was boundless love indeed;
Jesus is a Friend in need.
When he lived on earth abased,
"Friend of sinners" was his name.
Now above all glory raised,
he rejoices in the same;
still he calls them brethren, friends,
and to all their wants attends.
Could we bear from one another
what he daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
loves us, though we treat him thus:
though for good we render ill,
he accounts us brethren still.
O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
we, alas! forget too often
what a Friend we have above:
but when home our souls are brought,
we will love you as we ought.
