ROBERT@kontu.utu.fi (Robert W. Johnson) (10/19/90)
A friend of publicans and sinners. Luke 7.34. Since I saw the Saviour as friend of sinners I have seen many unusual and difficult people brought to Him. I remember once a young woman came and attacked me, saying that she did not want to be saved. She said she was young and intended to have a good time, and had no wish to leave her ways of sin, nor the least desire for salvation. After she had more or less raved at me for a while, I said, "Shall we pray?" "What on earth should I pray?" she replied scornfully. I said, "I can't be responsible for your prayer, but I will pray first, and then you can tell the Lord Jesus all that you have been saying to me." "Oh, I couldn't do that!" she said, somewhat taken aback. "Yes, you can," I replied. "Don't you know He is the Friend of sinners?" This touched her. She did pray--a very unorthodox prayer--but from that hour the Lord began to work in her heart, for within a few days' time she was gloriously saved.