Jesus Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Jesus The Friend Of Sinners Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Jesus came to free humans from their sin, not just forgive them. Matthew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The definition of a sinner means to miss the mark or to fall short of the goal. We have been given the free gift of righteousness through the shed blood of Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He not only forgives us of our sin but He also justifies us. Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus has commissioned us to be like Him. Roman’s 8:28 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Jesus was comfortable around sinners and He went out looking for them. Matthew 9:9-11 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus wanted to know him and his friends. We try to avoid what Jesus is looking for. Jesus gives us His mission statement in Matthew 9:12-13 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Jesus loves broken people and wants us to love broken people as well. Not just love them but go after them! John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Let’s look at the way Jesus handled notorious sinners. Luke 19:1-8 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” Here is How Jesus Operates: [5 things] 1. Jesus is intentional. Jesus was on a mission to find Zacchaeus. Jesus only did with the father told him to do. John 5:30 “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. Jesus is not like we think. He is not to busy and he doesn’t care about public opinion. Jesus comes intentionally into our lives. 2. Jesus calls us by name. Jesus is personal. How did Jesus know his name? John 12:49 “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. Jesus is intentionally looking for notorious sinners and He knows their name. 3. In the presence of Jesus lives are changed. Time spent in Jesus' presence brings eternal life change. 4. Jesus responds to us with grace. Jesus responds to Zacchaeus with grace! 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, Jesus didn’t point out the failures of Zacchaeus. That’s grace! Jesus says come as you are but don’t stay that way! 5. Jesus speaks to our potential and inheritance. Zacchaeus name means the just one, the righteous one. He was anything but just and righteous. 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus potential and inheritance. Jesus said today you’re gonna live up to your name because salvation has come to your house. If Jesus had a few minutes with you this afternoon what would he say to you? What do you think Jesus would say to you to fix the mess of your life. I think he would look you in the eyes and say, I love you son or daughter.