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Jesus Ate With Sinners - Luke 15
Jesus Ate With Sinners - Luke 15
The Jewish leaders grumbled against Jesus because he ate with sinners. Such eating in the first century generally indicated acceptance. It was this grumbling that prompted Jesus to tell the stories of 'the lost'. He spoke of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
He ends the story of the lost sheep with this application: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
He then finished the story of the lost coin by saying: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
He closes the story of the lost son by having the father of the son say “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:32)
Jesus did 'accept' sinners, but not by joining them in sin. He instead called them to repent and offered them forgiveness. Upon such forgiveness, he joined them in worship and service to the Father.
We would do well to think about how we deal with sinners. I am afraid that many times we respond like the elder brother in Jesus' story of the prodigal. We need to remember the application that Jesus made in these three stories: there is rejoicing at the repentance of a sinner. We need to be not only active in calling sinners to repentance but in rejoicing when they do.
Hugh DeLong
