<p>15:1<i> Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him to hear him teach</i>- Unlike many preachers of high spiritual standards, the Lord was attractive to sinners. They flocked to hear Him, He ate with them and appeared to actually quite like their company. 'Drawing near' is a Hebraism for coming to a holy place for worship. The Lord in His very person was the holy place, and not the Jerusalem temple cult. The double mention of &quot;him&quot; indicating the spiritual charisma which the Lord holds over those desperately seeking righteousness</p>