Jesus’ Confrontations with the Pharisees
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2 (ESV)
Where would you like to eat lunch? It seems clear that the Pharisees believed some sinners to be hopelessly lost. It seems they didn’t think they were worth the effort to win back for God. I suppose that was because they were first concerned about themselves and what the politicians today call optics.
They criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating on the Sabbath, not because eating was a sin, but because they had determined that rubbing heads of grain in one’s hands was equivalent to threshing. They criticized Jesus and His disciples for eating with the outcasts of society…tax collectors and those caught in public sin.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost…which includes every human being. We are, by birth and nature, lost. In fact, those who do not know Jesus by faith are today ‘without hope and without God in the world (cf. Ephesians 2:12).’ Some don’t believe they are lost or in danger. Some can only see the sins and mistakes of others and minimize and dodge the label of sinner themselves.
Jesus ate with sinners. Jesus called them to repent. Jesus comforted and forgave sinners. But Jesus didn’t minimize or approve of their sins. He paid for them with His own blood. Instead of cringing when we come upon someone in need, perhaps we should remember that Jesus died for them too. Maybe…just maybe…we could offer lunch and take the opportunity to introduce them to Jesus. He would give them so much more.
All are redeemed, both far and wide, Since Thou, O Lord, for all hast died.
Oh, teach us, whatsoe’er betide, to love them all in Thee!
The Lutheran Hymnal 439:4