Friend of Sinners

I love this song title by the Christian musical group Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend of Sinners. When I first heard the song and saw the title, I thought how awesome it is to know the Savior of the world is a friend of mine (John 15:13-15). Awesome. Then I listened to the lyrics more intently and what the message was about. Jesus is a friend of sinners; how about you?
 
...we have strayed so far away We cut down people in Your name, but the sword was never ours to swing

Ouch. Oh wait it gets better.
Oh, let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours (Casting Crowns)
 
As Christ-followers, we know this reality, we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), yet we are forgiven and born again through our faith in Jesus (1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Then why is it there are moments we, as Christians, tend to avoid the outcast or those on the fringe? In other words, why are we not looking for the unforgiven and introducing them to Jesus, a friend of sinners?
 
This Sunday, the preschoolers and K-5 will learn about Saul and his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). The little ones will know Jesus wants to be their friend forever, and the older kids will understand how He can change how we view things—especially each other. 

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