“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them,” Luke 15:2.

THAT WHICH DID DRAW THE PEOPLE TO CHRIST

It was not to LOOK, or SEE or STARE but to “to hear him”!

Now we can but hear. One day we will “see his face”, Rev 22:4.

Others may have come for selfish reasons - “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” John 6:26 - but these came to HEAR HIM!

1. The Saviour spoke words of life. 

John 6:68. “Then Simon Peter answered him, . . . thou hast the words of eternal life.” “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” Matthew 4:4.

2. The Saviour spoke words of power. 

“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth,” Luke 4:22. “The people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes,” Matt 7:28-29.

3. The Saviour spoke words of hope. 

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10. What hope is here in these words!

4. The Saviour spoke words of love. 

Verse 4-7, the parable of the lost sheep. What compassion for the lost the Saviour had! He had compassion for sinners. Womenfolk, neglected in those days to a large degree - Woman sick, Mk 5; woman anointing His feet, Mk 14, His mother at the cross, John 19:26.