We continue our consideration of what we are told about the 'publicans' in the Gospels.

They not only associated with the Saviour, they obey Him.

We have already looked at Luke 15:1 as we studied the parable of the lost sheep. The first verse sets forth clearly the attitude of the publicans and those associated with them. "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him." The word hear means 'to hearken'. That means more than just to listen to what is said but it means they responded to and obeyed the Saviour's words. This is confirmed by the Saviour.

"Jesus saith unto them (the chief priests and the elders, verse 23, many of whom would have been Pharisees) Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you," Matt 21:31. "Go into the kingdom" that is what you must do!!

They acknowledged God was right in calling them sinners.

"And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John," Luke 7/29.

The publicans were ready to acknowledge their sinfulness and were baptised as a confession of their sins. They said that God was 'just' in condemning them as sinners. Like the repentant thief of the cross, they acknowledged their guiltiness before God. "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss," Luke 23:339-41.

Are you ready to admit your sinfulness before God?

We cannot be saved and go to heaven unless we do! "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," 1 John 1:9.

Will you confess your sins before the Saviour today?