A FRIEND OF PUBLICANS AND SINNERS

 

A friend of publicans and sinners.
Matthew 11:19

 
THIS was said of Jesus by way of reproach,
  but it is his true glory.
 
He is the friend of sinners.
 
We need a friend,
  but no one but Jesus could possibly perform
    the friendly part.
 
Our state must have been desperate without him,
  and to restore us cost him all he had.
 
Never did creatures so much need a friend,
  never were there creatures so little deserved of a friend,
  and never was there such a friend as Jesus.
 
He gave his person for ours, his life for ours;
  he opened the treasures of his grace to meet
  all demands that could be made upon us, and
  to supply all the wants experienced by us.
 
He was a friend on earth,
  he is our friend in heaven.
 
He is the perfect model of friendship,
  we may go to him in all our troubles,
  ask of him a supply of all our wants,
  consult him in all our difficulties,
  trust him in all our times of trial, and
  expect him to send us all that is really necessary.
 
He engaged for us in covenant,
  he died for us on Calvary,
  he pleads for us in heaven, and
  he will soon come and fetch us
  that we may dwell with him for ever.
 
O for the grace to love him, trust him,
  and obey him as we ought!
 
All for more familiarity with him!
 

The title that was meant to scorn,

He takes and binds upon his brow;

And thus the guilty and forlorn,

Are taught his character to know.

 
James Smith 1849