Look at the wonder of this truth. Jesus, who stands above everyone else—holy, harmless, pure, and separate from sinners—welcomes sinners. He is the eternal God, before whom angels cover their faces, yet He welcomes sinners. Only an angel could fully express this incredible act of love.

It's not surprising that any one of us would seek out the lost. They're like us. But that God, the one wronged by sin, would become a servant, carry our sins, and choose to welcome the worst of us is astonishing. Jesus welcomes sinners, not so they remain that way, but to forgive, justify, cleanse, and renew them. He fills them with His Holy Spirit so they can serve Him, celebrate Him, and be united with Him in deep fellowship. He lifts them from the dirt and treasures them as gems in His crown.

He saves them from destruction as precious testimonies of His mercy. No one is more valued by Jesus than the sinners He died to save. When Jesus welcomes sinners, He doesn't just offer a temporary stay like people might do for passing strangers. No, He opens the doors of His heart and brings them right into His own being. He unites with them personally, making them part of His own body. There's been no welcome like this before. And tonight, it's still true—He is still welcoming sinners. If only sinners would welcome Him in return.