"This Man welcomes sinners," but not to leave them in their sins. He welcomes them to forgive their sins, justify them, cleanse their hearts with His purifying word, and preserve their souls through the Holy Spirit. He welcomes them to enable them to serve Him, to praise Him, and to have fellowship with

Him. He takes sinners into His heart, pulls them out of darkness, and treasures them like jewels in His crown; He rescues them from destruction and preserves them as precious monuments of His mercy. No one is as precious to Jesus as the sinners for whom He died.

Who can compare their character to the Ten Commandments and not see how far they fall short? When God's law enters the soul, it’s like turning on a light in a dark room, revealing the dust and dirt that were hidden before. The law exposes the presence

of sin in our souls. As the apostle said, "I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died." Our perceived goodness fades completely when the law shines upon it.