Christian

Did Jesus Hang Out With Sinners?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 3/3/26

I don’t know if “hang out” is the right term, but Jesus did visit the homes of sinners, and He enjoyed meals with them. So eating with sinners is right to do when our purpose is to share Christ. But there are other people that God says to avoid. I think we get that backwards sometimes by avoiding sinners and welcoming false teachers.

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13

The Bible also says,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

” … these teachers oppose the truth.” (v. 8)

Reflect on this: Are we hesitant to reach out to the lost, but happy to compromise with false teachers! Isn’t that the opposite of what we are told to do?

In His Love, Cindy

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

8 thoughts on “Did Jesus Hang Out With Sinners?”

  1. Being in the company of non-Christians should always be seen as an opportunity to share the Good News, but it is about being discerning about how much time we give them. I have been in the company of Word of Faith, JWs, Catholics, and even Masons, over the years… some of whom were friends. Such relationships are a thin line to walk but can be done prayerfully. This reminds me of this verse, “save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”
    — Jude 23
    God bless you today my sister and friend 🙏

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  2. This is a pet peeve of mine. When people say, “Jesus hung out with sinners and prostitutes, and didn’t judge them!” Um, that’s totally wrong. In fact, He compared them to sick people who needed a doctor (Luke 5:31-32).

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    1. Dear Quiet, I agree with you. Jesus did describe sinners as sick people who need a physician. Also, I am not suggesting that anyone who has been abused should associate with their abuser.
      I apologize for not making my point more clear, which is that some Christians don’t reach out to the lost, but they are happy to compromise with false teachers!
      Thank you for commenting. I appreciate your honesty. I look forward to reading more of your blog. God bless you! 💕

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  4. Yes, Jesus hung out with sinners. Who else was there to be with?

    I’ve no doubt that Jesus was perfectly discerning in His associations, fore-ordained before one of us was created. He always made the most of His connections and conversations, guided by His Father. May we strive to do the same.

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