“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
As Jesus was teaching there were many people who would come to listen to Him. Some of those people were the hated tax collectors and the un-clean sinners. Jesus never turned them away, but accepted them. He even went a step further and would sit down and eat with them.
Through the rest of this chapter, Jesus responds to the Pharisees accusations of His eating with the tax collectors and sinners. He gives several parables about God searching for the lost sinner and rejoicing when He finds him.
Yes, Jesus did go among the sinners and eat with them. Notice, however, that His purpose of eating with them was not to just have fun or partake in their wild lifestyle. Jesus ate with them to show them God’s love and draw them to God. He wanted them to be changed.
Some believers will use these verses to promote going among the sinners of the world, but their purpose is to be able to have a part in the “fun” of the world. They do directly talk about Jesus when they are at those parties. They are there just having fun, just like everyone else. They are living in sin, rather than being a witness.
Your heart should be like Jesus. He went among the people to show them who God really is. He wanted to show them that they needed God. He wanted to show them that they needed the life through the salvation He would be able to provide.
As a believer you should be willing to be among the sinners of the world. Do not isolate yourself from everyone. Be willing to accept everyone. In the process of being among the world, though, be the light of Jesus. Do not hide your witness.
Be open and different from the world. Do not conform to the ways of the world. Share Jesus with the lost. Rejoice when someone comes to Jesus. Let God’s character in you to rub off on the people, not the world’s character to rub off on you.
I pray today that God will bring divine appointments with the despised of this world; that God will give you the boldness and words to be His witness; that you will be a light in this dark world; and that God will build His kingdom through you.
Leave a Reply