"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
It's easy to forget that Jesus attracted the kind of people the religious leaders wanted nothing to do with.
Tax collectors, sinners—people on the fringes of society, people known for their mistakes and shortcomings—flocked to Jesus. And instead of keeping his distance, Jesus welcomed them. He ate with them, conversed with them, and treated them with dignity and love.
Today, many people outside the church feel the same way about religious communities as those sinners felt about the Pharisees. Some see religious institutions as places of judgment and exclusion, not as places of love and acceptance.
The challenge for us is to reflect on how we're perceived. Are we more like the Pharisees, concerned with keeping "sinners" at arm's length? Or are we more like Jesus, welcoming those who don't fit the mold or might not have it all together?
This passage shows us that no one is too far gone for Jesus. He sees value in everyone and is willing to meet them where they are. Jesus calls us to follow His example. He isn't asking us to condone sin, but He is asking us to love people—to sit at the table with them, listen, and engage.
We should ask ourselves: Are we making room at our table for the people Jesus would have welcomed?
