“WITH SINNERS”

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 

Mark 2:15-16

The world wants you to believe that God is indifferent to your suffering, that you first need to straighten up before He would even pay attention to you. Believe me, that is not how the Bible describes Him.

In yesterday’s blog, we learned that our God is a merciful God who forgives sins. Let’s see the next couple of verses and find out more about our Lord.

Immediately after deciding to follow Jesus, Matthew hosts a banquet in Jesus’ honor at his house. This event is either a farewell party for his colleagues or an opportunity for them to meet Jesus. Regardless, Jesus accepts the invitation and comes.

Jesus is with the disciples. In this scene, other people are present, including tax collectors, sinners, and more of Jesus’ followers. The word “sinners” is a technical term for common people regarded by the Pharisees as uneducated in the Law, and therefore did not observe their strict traditions. Anyone who did not enroll in their rabbinical schools or attended their synagogues was considered a sinner. It may also refer to people who had adopted publicly immoral lifestyles.

Another group present at the banquet includes the scribes of the Pharisees (“separated ones”). They were the teachers of the Law and the most influential religious party in Palestine. They were known as the strictest group in terms of adhering to the traditions of Judaism and paying careful attention to purity regulations, times, and persons. Their rules of purity involved not just the kind of food eaten, but also the people with whom one might eat. They avoided contact with people who were less concerned about their rules.

Seeing Jesus eating with common people, the scribes ask why would Jesus associate Himself with such “sinners.” To them, taking Levi as a disciple and socializing with sinners was unacceptable—let alone sharing a meal with spiritual outcasts. Such parties were held in the open, and people were attracted by both the noise of conversations and the smell of the food. Therefore, the Pharisees felt irritated by Jesus’ behavior. But instead of going directly to Jesus, they talked to the disciples, perhaps to question their confidence and loyalty to Him.

In a day and age where people looked down on others, Jesus met with people where they were—not to take part in their wrongdoing but to give them hope. This gives us a better meaning of the name “Immanuel,” “God with us.” Jesus is not some deity who watches us from a distance; He is close to us. He is with us.

So, wherever you are or whatever is going on in your life, you can come to Jesus and know that He will draw Himself close to you. If you acknowledge your sins, turn from them, and put your trust in Jesus Christ, you will receive the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus will give you a new heart and a new life. But will you come to Him?

Pursue the Savior today!

Photo by Ivana Cajina on Unsplash