From time to time in my ministry, I would address those gathered for worship with these words: “Welcome, Sinners!” That usually got their attention. While they were not expecting to hear those words, they we nonetheless an accurate description of those who assembled for worship.

Ironically,  many  people offer this excuse for not coming to church: “That Church is full of sinners.” My reply was always “You’d better believe it. And I hope those sinners keep right on coming to this Church!”  I didn’t say that because I am proud of the fact that we are sinful, but it is the truth. There is no denying it. We freely admit that to God and to each other when we confess our sins together, and then take advantage of God’s offer of free forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ. As the Bible states so plainly, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!  That’s us! All of us.

That salutation, “Welcome, Sinners!” is more than just a greeting. It is a description of what Jesus did, and what He would have us do as well.

Luke 15:1-10 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The enemies of Jesus muttered, this man welcomes sinners! They meant this as a stinging insult, a ridicule, a criticism, but it was actually a compliment. They were describing the reason that Christ came into this world. After the Fall, sin is a reality in all men. We are sinful by virtue of the sin we inherit from our parents, what theologians call “Original Sin.” And if that isn’t bad enough, each of us sin daily by going against God’s Law. We lie, cheat, hurt each other, lose our tempers. All of those are real sins, sins that have caused us to be separated from God. We deserve punishment, death and eternal separation from God because of all our sins. Yet our God comes to us and says, “Welcome, sinners.” He does so for Jesus’ sake.

One of our hymns has us happily proclaiming Jesus Sinners Doth Receive. Through Jesus, God invites all of sinful humanity to come to Him to be forgiven and live. We are the sinners who are welcomed by the God of Creation.

Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve Jesus sinners doth receive.

We deserve but grief and shame, Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim. Here our ills have perfect healing.
Firmly in these words believe Jesus sinners doth receive.

Sheep that from the fold did stray No true shepherd e’er forsaketh;
Weary souls that lost their way Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
In His arms that they may live Jesus sinners doth receive.

I, a sinner, come to Thee With a penitent confession;
Savior, mercy show to me Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve; Jesus sinners doth receive.

Oh, how blest it is to know; Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow By Thy blood and bitter Passion;
For these words I now believe; Jesus sinners doth receive.

Now my conscience is at peace, From the Law I stand acquitted;
Christ hath purchased my release And my ev’ry sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve Jesus sinners doth receive.

 Jesus sinners doth receive. Also I have been forgiven;
And when I this earth must leave, I shall find an open heaven.
Dying, still to Him I cleave Jesus sinners doth receive.

Lutheran Service Book #609