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Eating with the Sinners and Tax Collectors

Mark 2:17

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While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Mark 2:15-17 NIV

Sinners and tax collectors. In Jesus’ day, these were social outcasts. Tax collectors were collaborating with Rome in the collection of taxes for the occupiers. And ‘sinners’ was a general term used by the religious folk for anyone who was not following the Law closely enough. Both of these groups were generally considered outcasts from much of the society of the day.

Associating with the Unclean

That Jesus was willing to eat with sinners and tax collectors, was scandalous. Associating with unclean folks was detrimental to one’s reputation. And reputation was important to one who wanted to be a rabbi with a following. But Jesus was not concerned with reputation. Instead, he was concerned about people. Especially those people who had been marginalized by society. In both his words and his actions, he demonstrated God’s love toward the unloved.

If Jesus was to come to 21st-century America for a visit, I wonder who he would be eating with. The homeless? The broken and wounded? The immigrant? People with alternate lifestyles? And who would be criticizing him for it? Would I? Would you? How about our churches? Would we join him? Or would his actions scandalize us? What would Jesus do? Am I willing to follow his example of love?

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Ed Jarrett

Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.

A Note to Readers

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.

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