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"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples,
'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'"
(Matthew 9:11)
The Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples their question in an accusatory fashion, not in a genuine desire to obtain information. There is sarcasm in their voices when they make their request. It was unthinkable to them to eat with those whom they classified as sinners, those who did not keep all the stringent requirements of the law, which they took pride in keeping.
Jesus is way outside their comfort zone, but instead of listening and learning, they would rather accuse and condemn. And that is always the temptation for those of us who are religious: we can easily accuse and condemn people we do not like or do not understand, and that is so tragic. God help me never to become a Pharisee.
In verse 12, Jesus responded to their criticism disguised as a question: "When Jesus heard that, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do.'" I love Jesus' response. Again, He uses an analogy to make His point. He tells them the healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick need a doctor's help. Those who are sinners are indeed sick and in need of care.
This was a stinging word of confrontation to the religious leaders. They knew that these people were sinners and far from God. These leaders should have been the ones loving and ministering to the sinners. We must always be careful in the church that we do not become like the Pharisees in Jesus' day. It is so easy to become self-righteous and judgmental and forget the very reason God saved us in the first place: to love lost people, help them, and point them to Christ. I know it is very simple but one of the ways you can show love to people and reach them with the Gospel is to share a meal with them. Jesus did.
Lessons learned from this encounter that Jesus had with Matthew in his home over a meal:
- God loves people, all people. If you think some people are too far gone and beyond reach, keep in mind, those are the very ones God came to save, people like Matthew.
- There is power in simply sharing a meal with someone, especially someone who may be different than you. Instead of only hanging out with our own tribe, I think it would be so powerful to associate with people who think and believe very differently than we do. We need not be intimidated by their lifestyle. Jesus was not in the least. In fact, He knew the only way for them to be reached was for Him to go to them. And go to them He did!
- A meal with others is way more than simply a meal. Dave and Jon Ferguson share the inspirational story of how Brooke and Justin loved on and ministered to their neighbors. Brooke and Justin had prayed for new neighbors, people they could connect with and serve. God sent Lauren and Quentin. Brooke and Justin befriended their new neighbors, had them over for a cookout, and Justin even cut their grass. One day, Lauren asked Brooke why she and her husband were so kind? Brooke shared how Jesus Christ had changed their lives. A little later, Lauren informed Brooke that she and Quinton had decided to no longer rent the house they were living in. They decided to buy the house, and one of the main reasons was their friendship! Weeks later, Quentin told Justin that his uncle had recently died, and he had questions about what happens to a person when they die. This led to a lengthy spiritual conversation, after which, Quentin prayed to receive Christ. (See BLESS, pages 82-83.)
Pray for your neighbors and colleagues who do not have a relationship with God. Get to know them, listen to their hopes, dreams, hurts, etc. Then share a meal with them or spend time with them over coffee. Serve them and share Jesus with them.
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