Our verses today show a group of people highly critical of our Lord.

Jesus was hanging out with "sinners".

The tax collectors the Jews hated so much were Jews who collected taxes for the Roman authorities. The critical people believed themselves to be devout, holy, and well above the level of the individuals Jesus associated with.

Sadly, the self-righteous Jews didn't recognize that Jesus hadn't come to spend His time with people who had a high opinion of themselves. Rather He came for those who knew themselves to be sinners in God's sight and who desired to change and be different.

Jesus had a heart for people in pain—people who were struggling with life and its temptations. He desired to deliver or "cure" those who were "sick" with sin.

Jesus was not afraid of scandal as long as He could connect with those others scorned.

Never exclude yourself from the circle of Jesus' disciples (the church) because of your previous bad behaviour. Your life may have been sadly distorted because of sin, but Jesus is in the reconstruction business.

Jesus loves to move into a situation where a person has really hit bottom as far as morality is concerned.

He's often pictured in Scripture coming alongside the most miserable failures in life and bringing them to a place of useful service to the Father and His people.

Even the repentant thief has been used for centuries as an example of one coming to Jesus in death and having themselves delivered from the results of sin. So that poor man's few moments of life as a believer prior to death has had a wonderful effect on countless thousands, who felt they were too far gone to be redeemed. His conversion story has given hope to many.

Whatever way you have sinned against the Lord—however awful your record is—never doubt Jesus can take you and make a trophy of grace out of you.

He can make your life into something beautiful and full of praise to Him Who is the Friend of sinners.

Do you know someone who needs to hear this devotional today?

If your life has been transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit, go and tell some other sinner that Jesus is the Friend of sinners and has a message of hope and transformation for them.

Needy people are waiting to hear the Good News.

Go and speak the redeeming word to them today.