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"Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2

Here's the thing we often forget about Jesus and what He actually did during His ministry years - He spent time with the social outcast. Sure He spent the majority of His time with His disciples, teaching a leading them - this was, after all the task of a Rabbi. However, much of His ministry time, in and amongst the people He dearly loved, was spent with those particular folks who were sneered at and looked down upon by the religious establishment. The Pharisees detested the tax collectors, because they were Jews working for the Romans interests by taking a large and unfair amount of money away from them (some above and beyond for their own pockets) in the name of Caesar. Tax Collectors were cheats and turncoats - despised. Sinners in the eyes of the Pharisees were anyone from prostitutes to lepers to Gentiles. There was a very clear delineation between sinner and saint in the eyes of the religious in Jesus' day and the general rule was that never the two should meet.

Jesus, however, a Rabbi working within this same religious system, turned this general rule on its ear - Jesus did more than simply not avoid sinners - He sought them out and shared intimate meals with them. In so doing, He made it known that God loves everyone, that God is willing to step down into the world of the sinner and show compassion, and that followers of Him ought not to keep their religion behind closed doors with a sign that says "For Saints Only."

Who are the "sinners" in our world? I know, I know, we are all sinners...but who are those people that society in particular singles out as pariahs? They may be different people in different parts of the world - but are these not the people that Jesus would be sharing His life and company?

As Christians, we are called to be like Jesus. The fact that Jesus ate with sinners, tells us that to be a follower of Jesus is to do likewise. Our churches and worship services were never intended to be exclusive gatherings for the pious and holy - rather, places for all people to come and sup with the love divine. May our lives and churches be places accused of welcoming sinners.

Be God's, Scott