What Did Jesus Really Say About Sinners — Daily Bible Study
Thursday, November 7 2002
What Did Jesus Really Say About Sinners?
The English word sinner is used to translate the original Greek word of the New Testament , pronounced ham-ar-ten-oh, which literally means to miss the mark, and by implication, to not share in the prize. This actual meaning was referred to by the apostle Paul: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 RSV) and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 KJV).
What Did Jesus Really Say About Sinners?
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”
“And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
“But when He heard it, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:11-13 RSV)
“he who is forgiven little, loves little”
“One of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house, and took His place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that He was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”
“Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?”
“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?”
“Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.”
“And He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
“Then turning toward the woman He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:36-47 RSV)
“joy in heaven over one sinner who repents”
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7 RSV)
Fact Finder: When does God begin to listen to the prayers and requests of any particular human?
John 9:31
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