Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 15:1-2

"Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." — Luke 15:1-2 (ASV)

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

The Pharisees and scribes formed the outside ring of Christ's hearers, but the inner circle consisted of the guilty, the heavy-laden, and the lowly. They pressed as near to Christ as they could, that they might catch his every word; and besides, there was an attractiveness about his manner that drew them towards him.

His mercy attracted their misery. They wanted him, and he desired them; thus, they were well matched.

There will be an inner circle tonight when the gospel is preached, and it will not consist of the self-righteous. Those who are full will not press to the table on which the gospel feast is spread; the hungry will be found nearest to the heavenly provision.