God hates/abhors sin! Yet, he has so much love for sinners. Because of His great love for each human’s soul, He sent His Son to die on a cross for those in sin. God commands sinful men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Jesus, the Son of God, echoes His Father’s feelings, “Repent or perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). Therefore, there are only two choices you and I can make; either to repent and serve God or to continue to live in sin. So, how did Jesus deal with sinners? That depends on the situation or circumstance and the demeanor of the sinner.

Jesus told sinners to repent, which meant to stop practicing the act of sin. But He dealt with different individuals in different ways. For example, although He commanded both the money changers and the woman caught in adultery to stop sinning, He spoke to them in contrasting manners. Jude addresses this in verses 22 and 23 of his letter. There, the Holy Spirit inspired Jude to record how the church is to deal with people in various ways. “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but on others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Jesus is our example of doing this very thing. So let’s see how Jesus dealt with sinners.

Jesus was a tell-it-like-it-is person. He did not hide the truth about sin and its results. He never compromised the truth; nor did He ever show favoritism to anyone. For the most part, Jesus reasoned kindly with sinners—sometimes even entering their homes. Such a case is Zacchaeus. Even though we are not told what went on in the house, Zacchaeus came out a changed and saved man—ready to pay back four-fold anyone he may have cheated (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus handled others with kindness, care, and reason, such as Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, and the penitent sinner hanging on a cross next to Him. Even though Judas betrayed Jesus, the Master Teacher treated Judas as a close friend, as He did with Peter’s shortcomings.

However, Jesus could be blunt and very direct in certain cases. Especially to those who were leaders of the Jews—the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, lawyers, and elders. Please read the account of Matthew chapters 15, 16, 19, and 23. In these examples, Jesus was not short on words, nor was He timid. He called them, “Hypocrites!”; “wicked and adulterous generation”; “blind guides”; “fools and blind”; “white-washed tombs”; and “serpents, brood of vipers.” He told them they had hard hearts! In Matthew 23, He said, “Woe unto you…” repeatedly. When Jesus saw what a mockery the money-changers were exhibiting in the Temple, He drove them out and overturned the tables. They ran for their lives!

Jesus informed individuals, groups, and whole cities what their sins were. Some had killed the prophets; some were hard-hearted; some were proud and arrogant; some did only part of God’s will, while leaving the other things unattended. To some He said, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” He also told wannabe followers that they must first count the cost.

The Lord’s love for lost souls was intense and sacrificial. He said things that were not very popular—and certainly not “politically correct” for our generation. People, however, were astonished because He spoke with authority (Matthew 7:27-28). No one could find fault with what He said, because it was the truth. He was firm and to the point, not mincing words. Paul imitated Christ by dealing with individual cases much like His Master Instructor. We today could learn much from Him too.

Gary Anderson
Bakersfield, California