Eating Dinner with the Sub-Prime Mortgage Lenders, Ponzi Bosses, and Prostitutes

The Pharisees and scribes were angry at Jesus. They thought they had a good reason too.

Here is one who teaches in the synagogue, a leader of the people, and sinners are coming from all around to see him. Not only are they coming to Jesus, but Jesus is receiving them. On top of all this he is eating dinner with these people. This was a serious subversion of Jewish religious authority and purity.

While this seemed like a bad situation, the truth was far more shocking than anything the Pharisees and Scribes could have imagined. They thought Jesus was a liar and a dangerous teacher, but they certainly didn't believe he was the Son of God.

The astounding truth is that the Lord of heaven and earth, the God who appeared in fire and smoke on Mount Sinai, this holy God came to earth and associated with sinners. He came to save sinners. God was still holy, but he wasn't afraid to touch or eat with sinners. His holiness was different and deeper than that of the Pharisees and Scribes.

And this is wonderfully good news. Jesus says three times in Luke 15 "Rejoice with me." If Jesus would have lunch with sinners, he will have fellowship with you, sinner. When you draw near to Jesus, he will receive you. Rejoice then, rejoice in all his saving work.