To understand the significance of Jesus eating with sinners we need to look at those who hurled the complaint — the Pharisees and teachers of the law. These men were the religious leaders of that time and had created their own set of rules referred to as the “tradition of the elders.” According to them, eating with a sinner defiled them. This was just one of their rules Jesus violated.
Jesus ate with both the religious leaders and with sinners. So, what is the significance of Jesus eating with sinners? It’s the core of his mission.
How the Story Unfolds
The story starts with Jesus having a meal with a Pharisee.
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched (Luke 14).
At this meal, Jesus violates one of their traditions by healing a man on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are upset, and Jesus takes the opportunity to teach them.
Sadly, the Pharisees do not have ears to hear. Soon after, their critical muttering begins.
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).
Jesus replies to their murmuring with more compassionate teaching, giving them the opportunity to understand the heart of God.
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them… Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one… Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons…
These parables illustrate Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost, but the Pharisees were blinded by their self-righteousness and still missed it.
Jesus Speaks His Mission
After Jesus called Matthew (also known as Levi) to follow him, they shared a meal where Matthew invited his friends and associates. Many of them were also following Jesus.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:29-30).
Jesus responds to the complaint with his core mission.
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).
Matthew records a more pointed answer directed to the religious leaders.
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13).
Jesus ate with sinners because they were the ones he was sent to save.
Sinners According to Who
The Pharisees claimed to adhere to the law of Moses as well as the tradition of the elders. By creating their own set of rules, they established themselves as righteous and all who didn’t comply were labeled sinners.
But Jesus exposed the lie that the religious leaders were righteous and warned them of their true state.
…don't follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show… (Matthew 23:3-5 NLT).
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).
Jesus’ words make clear the truth found throughout the Bible that all have sinned. Behavior isn’t the core problem. Spiritual sickness is in the heart.
Jesus Demonstrates His Mission
Over and over again we see Jesus demonstrating mercy to those who don’t deserve it but whose hearts come running to the doctor.
1. A man with leprosy dares to come to Jesus desiring to be healed but uncertain if Jesus is willing. Touching a leper was said to make a person unclean. Jesus was not only willing to heal him but did the unlawful thing of touching him while saying the words, “I am willing.” God’s mission is healing.
2. The woman caught in the act of adultery was dragged from a bed, thrown naked and alone in front of Jesus, while the crowd waited to throw rocks at her until she died. As the religious leaders demanded a response from Jesus, mercy, and truth came forth — the one without sin gets to throw the first rock. God’s mission is forgiveness.
3. A certain tax collector named Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming to his town and ran to see him. Being short he needed to climb a tree. Jesus took note of him up in that tree, saw that his heart had run to him, and called out to Zacchaeus to have dinner with him.
As Jesus eats with this sinner, Zacchaeus stands up and says: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” God’s mission is salvation.
4. The Samaritan woman at the well. How many strikes did she religiously have against her? She was a woman, who had multiple husbands, was living with a man but not married, and she was a Samaritan (a people the Israelites despised). Even Jesus’ disciples were surprised with him ministering to her. Jesus was able to reach not only her but the entire area. God’s mission is for all.
The Significance of Whosoever
There’s a reason the most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Whosoever. Whosoever will admit they’re sick spiritually. Whosoever will run to the great physician and say, “Jesus, only you can heal my soul.” Whosoever will receive the perfect righteousness available only through Jesus — the love of God who eats with sinners.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. She’s written Emerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto, Because You Matter, and hosts the Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle https://www.daniellebernock.com/
