Thrust Statement: God will accept anyone who comes to Him.

Scripture Reading: John 6:35-40

            Do you ever feel unworthy of the Gospel of Christ? Do you think that your life is too soiled for Christ to accept you? Will God accept the drunkard, the homosexual, the lesbian, the thief, the murderer, the prostitute, and so on? How do you feel about your own salvation? Do you have hope? Do you understand the love of God? Does God accept the down-and-out? Does God accept sinners? As one reads and rereads the Word of God, one is presented with real people who also felt this same unworthiness of God’s grace. One is confronted, almost daily, with the very dregs of society. Yet, in spite of such degradation, one sees the Son of God reaching out to the lost. In fact one can hear the words of the Master as those words sink deep into one’s consciousness: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).^[1]

God deals with all of us, in spite of our idiosyncrasies, or unconventional behavior. The clarion call is: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” To illustrate these truths, this message will utilize three characters in order to point out God’s willingness to accept the most egregious sinner—The Samaritan woman, Levi (Matthew) the tax collector, and the woman caught in adultery. I have chosen these three people, especially the two of the women, to show how God crossed traditional barriers to reach out to women as well as to men, especially tax collectors. Also, I relate three stories of how John 6:37 gave hope to individuals who were in doubt about their salvation—God’s acceptance of such unworthy individuals. The first story is about Bishop Butler.

STORY OF BISHOP BUTLER’S FEAR OF DEATH

            Every sinner can find hope and comfort in the words of Jesus: “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). These words give reassurance to the one who is ever conscious of his or her lifestyle or unworthiness. Even though Christians are quite familiar with John 6:37, nevertheless Christians have to be reminded of this great statement by Jesus. It is not uncommon for Christians, in the face of death, to frequently forget these powerful words of encouragement. The story is told of Bishop Joseph Butler’s  (1692-1752) fear of dying, even though he was ordained to the ministry in 1718 and continued in this role until his death in 1752. His life was a life of active service in God’s kingdom. Yet, at the end of his life, he fell into uncertainty about his own salvation in the afterlife. As he reminisced about his own life, he felt the pain of his own sinfulness; this consciousness of sin filled him with a terrible concern about his own eternal salvation.

In his final days, a friend sought to comfort him by saying, “You know, sir, that Jesus is a great Savior.” “Yes,” replied Butler. “I know that He died to save. But how shall I know He died to save me?” “My lord,” said the friend, “it is written that him who cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out!” (KJV). It is said that Butler’s eyes brightened. “I am surprised that, though I have read that Scripture a thousand times, I never felt its virtue until this moment. Now I die happy.” This Scripture gives comfort to the dying. This Scripture, too, is for you and for me. It is for everyone who wants eternal life. It is for everyone who is in despair. Regardless as to how “dirty” one’s life is or has been, Jesus is still saying, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).^[2]

THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA

The Holy Spirit reveals many stories in the life of Jesus that should give everyone tremendous hope. One such account in found in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. Everyone knows of this story—the woman of Samaria (John 4:7). This story has been a means of grace to countless thousands down through the centuries. This episode is one of the most thrilling stories of soul winning that one can read about in all of Scripture. Many have been led through the door of regeneration and through the gateway of faith with this heart-wrenching narrative of a loose woman and her testimony. As a result of Jesus’ love, this woman became a model soul winner. In spite of the fact that Jesus knew the sordid life of this woman, nevertheless, He said, “Will you give me a drink?” (4:7). One cannot read this narrative without a consciousness of Jesus’ desire to win this woman.

He wanted to gain this soul for eternity. If He had not been anxious to capture this woman for salvation, He would have kept to Himself. Instead of shunning her, He carried on a conversation with tremendous theological implications for the new messianic kingdom that He came to inaugurate. He did not give her the deep-freeze treatment. One should read this story over and over again in order to observe the kindness and love Jesus manifested toward this sinful woman. Is Jesus your pattern in reaching out to the lost and to the saved? How do you react toward individuals who are living in sin as their way of life? How do you act in response to those who profess faith? Are you rude? Are you hostile? Are you short in reply to inquiries about salvation or the congregation you are associated with? Some Christians have the great gift of freezing; they can freeze you with a look or their voice. Some Christians repel people by their coldness; they are not magnets; they are the very opposite of attraction. Christians should imitate the meekness of Jesus in trying to win souls to Christ and in trying to encourage other Christians to be faithful in their Christian service. The words of Paul to the Corinthians are to the point:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ^5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ^6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ^7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

            This woman became a great evangelist—the town turned out to see Jesus. But if Jesus had had the frame of mind that many Christians exhibit today, this woman would not have been converted. Jesus certainly went against the traditions of His day, especially talking to women. Not only was this individual a woman, but also she had a bad reputation. One should never associate with sinners according to the Pharisees. In fact, the religious leaders complain to Jesus about His fraternizing with “tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 5:30). But Jesus responds to their complaints by saying: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ^32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (5:31-21). This story of the Samaritan woman is a classic example of Jesus’ purpose in coming to this earth. There was nothing stiff and starched about the Savior’s attitude toward the down-and-out. One observes aggressiveness in Jesus’ dealing with this woman; He did not wait for the woman to address Him, but He addresses her: “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7). From that introduction, He engages her in an exchange of words in order to make her aware of Himself as the long awaited Messiah.

            Jesus gently leads her to talk about things that would lead her to recognition that He Himself is the Christ; He also leads her to a consciousness of her own sin. His conversation let her know that He could lift her out of her sin and make her a soul winner for God. The conversation about water leads Him to tell her about the water that He gives—eternal life (4:13).  Jesus explains:

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ^14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (4:13-14).

            This woman of Samaria requests this water; Jesus responds by telling her to “Go, call your husband and come back” (4:16). The woman promptly tells Jesus that she does not have a husband (4:17). Immediately, one witnesses the miraculous powers of Jesus that proves that He is the Christ: “You are right when you say you have no husband. ^18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true” (4:17-18). She, like so many individuals today, just lived with her lover without marriage. She knows that this man Jesus must be a prophet (4:19). The conversation leads to the subject of worship (4:19). This discussion also leads her to say: ‘“I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us’” (4:25). Whereupon, Jesus responds with the first of the “I am” sayings in the Gospel of John: “I who speak to you am he [ejgwv eijmi]” (4:25). The NIV adds the personal pronoun “he” in order to bring out the concept of what Jesus is saying, “I am the Messiah.” But, one must never forget that the phrase is in the absolute (without the predicate nominative “He” or “Messiah”) in Greek, no predicate is added.

            Jesus does not denigrate her because of her loose living. He offers her eternal life. How does she respond? How have you responded to God’s grace when He reached down, as it were, and saved you? This woman immediately becomes a soul winner for Christ. She went back into Jericho and related this story of how Jesus had told her about all she ever did. She asked the question: “Could this be the Christ?” (4:30). John says that “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did’” (4:39). As a result of her testimony, many left the town and went to hear this man for themselves (4:30). After hearing Jesus, John says that the people responded by saying: “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world” (4:42). God uses sinners saved by grace to spread the message of salvation through Christ. Are you allowing God to use you? The Samaritan woman was a model soul winner.

            The Savior did not begin by saying you are a sinful woman. He did not begin by telling her that He was the Messiah. He simply began the conversation by requesting a drink of water. If we expect to be soul winners for Jesus, we need to break down the barriers before we deal with their sins. This gentle leading leads to her confession of faith in Him. Jesus tells the woman that if she only knew the gift of God and who it is that speaks to you, then you would request of Him and He would give you living water (4:10). Do you know Jesus? Have you requested from Him the living water? If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, He will give you eternal life. No one’s life is too soiled for the Master. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whosoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

STORY OF CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT’S CONVERSION

            John 6:37 is a Scripture that everyone can claim as his or her own. Regardless as to how sordid one's lifestyle is, one can still cite this verse for hope of eternal life. Just as Jesus accepted the Samaritan woman, so He will accept anyone who comes to Him. This Scripture has brought comfort and hope and encouragement to many individuals down through the centuries. It, too, can bring confidence into your stormy life. The following story is another example of how John 6:37 interacted with the life of one who was a disillusioned invalid. The story is told of Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), born in Brighton, England. She was the granddaughter of the evangelical pastor Henry Venn (1725-1797). She was an embittered invalid. 

Dr. Cesar Malan (1787-1864), a Swiss minister, sought to help her in her relationship with God. During an evening meal, Charlotte railed against God. Following this event—the family left the room—Dr. Malan stared at her across the table, saying, “You are tired of yourself, aren't you?” “What is your cure?” asked Charlotte. “The faith you are trying to despise.” As they talked Charlotte softened. “If I wanted to become a Christian and to share the peace and joy you possess,” she asked, “what would I do?” You would give yourself to God as you are now.” As a result of this encounter, she did come to Jesus as she was. She gave her heart to Jesus that day. Later she found John 6:37 as a special verse for her. Charlotte later wrote a poem that was sold across England in a leaflet that was headlined with John 6:37. Underneath was Charlotte’s poem, which became the famous invitational hymn: “Just As I Am.”^[3]

LEVI: MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR

            Matthew was a man whom the Jews despised—a tax collector. Matthew, in the writing of his Gospel, gives a brief biographical statement about himself and his call into the ministry of Jesus: “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him (Matthew 9:9). Did Jesus choose this man to illustrate that He came to seek and save the lost? Following Matthew’s call, Matthew threw a big dinner party in which he invited many of his friends—tax collectors and sinners. One can almost imagine that this must have been a rather motley crowd. 

Matthew provides us an insight as to the reaction of the Pharisees: “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?’” (9:11). Jesus did not deny that they were the dregs of society. He goes right to the heart of His mission: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ^13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (9:12-13). This message reinforces the words of Jesus as reported by John: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 9:37).

            Matthew, in chapters 8 and 9 of his Gospel, records eight miracles. Yet right in the heart of these miracles, he reports his call to follow Jesus. It seems as if Matthew says, I will tell them about the miracle of the Savior healing a paralytic (9:1-8), but I will also tell them about another miracle—my salvation (9:9-12). God called him in spite of his occupation. Upon receiving his call from Jesus, he gave up all his gains for wealth in order to follow the Savior of the world. Here was a man who was up to his ears, so to speak, in a business that was associated with oppression and extortion. One can only surmise that this was a miracle equal to the healing of the paralytic. 

Many today are walking miracles of salvation.  I invite you to sit down and think, not about Matthew, but about yourself. I shall think about a man named Dallas Burdette; you can think about a man named Mickey Brooks; you can think about a woman named Carrol Brooks; you can think about a woman named Tammy Salinas; you can think about a man named Curtis Creel; you can think about a woman named Faith Wilson; you can think about a man named Earl Moore; you can think about a woman named Debra Newton. I ask you today to substitute your name for the name Matthew. Do you not stand in awe that God has reached down to save a wretch like you and me?

If one looks back at the unsavory reputation of Matthew, he does not appear to be a likely candidate for discipleship. It is true that Jesus saw all of Matthew’s sins; He saw all of the evil in him. But, on the other hand, Jesus also saw more in Matthew than probably Matthew saw in himself. He saw goodness and faithfulness and usefulness in Matthew. Thus, He reached out in grace to call him into His service. May God help each of us to sit in wonder at the matchless grace of God as He reaches down to us sinful creatures. Are you hesitating in heeding the call to salvation? Matthew did not hesitate; he followed Jesus immediately. I beg everyone who is here today not to be ashamed of the Master, but rather to introduce Christ into your work place. He who has invited you has also asked you to invite others.

D. L. MOODY’S STORY OF CONVERSION

            The following story is a story that most of us could easily identify with. We may not have committed the same sins, but we all know that we, too, have sinned and have fallen short of God’s demands. Moody tells the story of an individual that came to him feeling that his life was so messed up that not even God could help him. Have you ever felt that way? Moody’s response is worth reflecting upon as he sought to lead this poor sinner to the One who died for him and for us. Moody, in his response, cited John 6:37: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” This saying seemed too good to be true. The man could not say yes to these words of Jesus. The man responded, “But brother Moody, I am an alcoholic and a drunkard.” Can you identify with this man? In response Moody replied with clear insight, “It does not say, ‘Him that comes to me who is not an alcoholic and who is not a drunkard I will not drive him away.’”

The man continued his disbelief about God’s invitation by saying, “But brother Moody, I have abandoned my wife and my children.” Moody agreed with him, “That is a dreadful thing”; “But, Moody continued, “it does not say,’ ‘whoever comes to me who has not abandoned his wife and children I will not drive away.’” Again the man argued, “I have stolen and I have been in jail.” “Still,” said Moody, “It does not say, ‘Him that comes to me who has never stolen and who has never been in Jail I will not drive away.” Once more, Moody calls attention to John 6:37. “It merely says,” said Moody, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” After listening to Moody, this man was convinced that God would accept him.  This story covers every one of us here today, without exception.

THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

            This is one of the best-known stories in the Gospel of John. One statement stands out, perhaps, more than any other statement in this narrative—“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). John tells the story of a woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to take action against this sinful woman. It is true that the religious leaders were not so much concerned with this sin as they were in trying to figure out a way to get rid of Jesus (8:6). But, as usual, He turned the tide against them. This is a story of forgiveness and passion. It is the story of  “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

 How would you have reacted to this sordid situation? Would you have said, “How could she”? And immediately the telephone becomes the means of exposing the guilty party—“Did you hear about Mary being caught in adultery.” Christians frequently forget the instructions of the Holy Spirit: “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ^2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). Or what about the words Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Listen once more to the language of our Lord Jesus: “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (6:13). The One who taught this spirit of forgiveness is the same One who said: “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). 

            One of the most common faults in life is that we demand standards from others that we do not demand of ourselves. It is the desire of Jesus that pity and compassion and mercy and forgiveness and understanding should be extended to anyone who makes a mistake. The religious leaders knew the excitement of exercising the power to condemn. On the other hand, Jesus knew the joy of exercising the power to forgive.  When Jesus had to confront this sinful woman, He did not denounce her. He declined to address her as a worthless and terrible woman, but rather He said: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” (8:10). John then gives her response: “No one, sir,” (8:11a).

How did Jesus react to this sinful woman: “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin” (8:11b). Why did the religious leaders leave the presence of Jesus and this sinful woman? Jesus put the monkey on their back, so to speak. Listen to Him as He went for their jugular vein of hypocrisy—“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). What would you have done? Again, one hears the words of Jesus ringing like a clarion call: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (6:37). Is it any wonder that John begins his Gospel with these breathtaking comments about Jesus: “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (1:17).

CONCLUSION

My prayer is that God will help us to remember that Jesus came to men and women in love and suffered for humanity so that we could be united with each other and with Him. Are you merciful toward the sinner? Are you kind toward the saint? Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, sets forth the “narrow way”: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). This statement is in the indicative, not the imperative mood. In other words, Jesus frequently describes a situation by using the indicative—“Blessed are those who do this.” But, on other occasions, Jesus employed the imperative in order to reinforce His teachings. Shortly before His crucifixion, He did give an imperative: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

God wills unity in love. Love for one another can be taken as a test for our love for God. Men and women did not have to become perfect before they could have God’s love. In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders were uncomfortable with the concept that God loved the Samaritans as much as He loved the Jews, and that He loved the harlots as much as He loved the Pharisees. In that day and time, it was difficult for religious people to understand that God loves the prostitute. It is still challenging for God’s people to realize that God loves the down-and-out. It is not easy for us to get the picture that God loves the spiritually sick. But Jesus reminded individuals in His Sermon on the Mount that God demands that His people love their enemies. This Sermon on the Mount with its ethical instruction is the Magna Charta for the kingdom of God. One should pay special attention to the words of Jesus as He strips away the ungodly attitude of not loving the unlovable:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ^44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ^45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ^46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ^47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ^48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (5:43-48).