Mark 2:16

CONSORTING WITH SINNERS

“How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?’

Mark 2:16

This question, which was asked by the scribes and Pharisees, is very instructive, for the answer to it illustrates the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in His work and Person.

I. Christ and sinners.—Why was Christ at all at the feast of Matthew? Because He was and is the Friend of sinners. The magnificence of God is altogether beyond us. By His condescension He places Himself within our powers of, in some degree, understanding Him. His condescension is the visible measure of His love. And thus the glory of His work depends upon and illustrates another glory—the glory of His character. He could—He can—afford to be the Friend of sinners. It was the glory of Christ, as the sinless Friend of sinners, which made Him eat and drink as He did, to the scandal of the Pharisees, in the house of Levi.

II. The Church and sinners.—And the answer to the question of the scribes and Pharisees is a comment on the action and history of the Church of Christ. Like her Lord, the Church has entered into the life of sinful humanity. The idea of a hermit Church involves nothing less than a sacrifice of the whole plan of Jesus Christ for the regeneration of the world. Still must the Church do what she may for the blessing and improvement of all departments of activity and life. Duty is not less duty because it is dangerous. Precautions and safeguards are near at hand, but she may not cease to eat and drink with publicans and sinners.

III. The Christian and sinners.—These words are not without suggestiveness as to the duty and conduct of private Christians. On what terms ought a Christian to consort with those who openly deny the truth of religion, or who live in flagrant violation of its precepts? Here there are two dangers to guard against:—

(a) On the one hand, we must beware of Pharisaism, that rank weed which so soon springs up in the souls of those who are trying to serve God.

(b) On the other hand, we must guard against an appearance of indifference to the known will of God, whether in matters of faith or conduct.

—Rev. Canon Liddon.

Illustration

‘Duty is not less duty because it is dangerous. When St. Francis Xavier, the “Apostle of the Indies,” proposed to set out on his mission his friends tried by every possible representation of the dangers and hardships involved to deter him from going. He replied, “The most tractable and opulent nations will not want preachers; but this is for me because others will not undertake it. If the country abounded in odoriferous woods and mines of gold, all dangers would be braved in order to procure them. Should merchants, then, be more intrepid than missionaries? Shall these unfortunate people be excluded from the blessings of redemption? Should I be instrumental in the salvation of but one of them, I should think myself well recompensed for all the labours and dangers by which you endeavour to affright me.” ’