Friend of Tax Collectors

Mat 9:10-13 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. (11) And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (12) But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (13) Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

I wonder if Christ was an enjoyable person to have around. Why did the tax collectors and sinners hang out with Him? How could they feel comfortable with the Son of God? I think maybe we have lost something very significant in our desire to not be touched by the world. Would I want to be with sinners, or maybe more significantly, would sinners want to be with me? Would they understand that I love God and desire to serve Him and at the same time I love them and enjoy their company? I think about God's desire for us to be in the world but not of the world and I realize afresh that Christ lived out this tension in His life.
I pray that I might come to understand the reality of being a saint, a holy one, and at the same time a good guy to hang out with.
Wanderer101