Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
The imagination can hardly form to itself a more striking portrait than what those verses represent. Figure to yourself, Reader, a company of poor, despised outcasts of society, in a body, of publicans and sinners, drawing nigh, with looks of hope and desire to Christ, as if to say, Can there be mercy for us? And on the other side of the representation, look at the proud, disdainful, self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes withdrawing from the Lord, with countenances of the most sovereign contempt, as if Jesus and his company should pollute their holiness. This man (say they) receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Precious Jesus! Well is it for me that thou dost; for what must have become of me had this not been the case? How truly lovely doth the Son of God appear by such marvellous condescension! And what can more endear Christ to his people?