Jesus Ate With Sinners

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As Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples (Matthew 9:10, ESV).

When an event offends our Christian sense of Biblical truth, many believers are told to say nothing because Jesus ate with sinners.  

Yes, Jesus did eat with sinners, but I admit to a hollow sense in my spirit when I hear the “Jesus ate with sinners” slogan because it misses the point entirely. 

Here’s the point:  Jesus ate with sinners, but eventually, most of them stopped eating with Him.

In John 6, at the height of Jesus’ popularity, we find Him feeding the five thousand and then walking on water. But at the end of this chapter, we read. . . 

Many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:66-67).

What happened? It’s easy eating with Jesus until He insists on talking about who He is, and then we walk away. Jesus said. . . 

I am the bread of life . . . I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh (John 6:48 and 51).

Jesus teaches that He loves us, but we must change our lifestyles to follow Him. 

It’s the message of Jesus to the woman caught in adultery when he said, “Go and sin no more.” It’s the same message that He gave to the rich young ruler, telling him to “Sell all that you have.” 

And it’s the message that He gives to all sinners. 

Consider the apostles:  An angry John became the disciple Jesus loved, an unfaithful Peter became the rock or cornerstone of the church, and a doubting Thomas proclaimed Jesus as Lord.

Nobody continually eats with Jesus without changing to become like Him. And the only disciple (of the original twelve) who didn’t change, who left the Last Supper early, was Judas.

The “Jesus Ate With Sinners” reference became a go-to comment recently in social media posts about the mocking of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. 

Yes, Jesus ate with sinners, and I’m glad that He did and still does because we are all sinners. But only those who don’t leave the Eucharist find eternal life.

As Jesus said. . . 

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53).

The Apostle Peter, who attended the dinners of Jesus eating with sinners, and knowing Jesus’ life, ministry, and intentions better than those living today, gave this command in His first sermon to the church. . .  

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Let’s eat with Jesus as long as it takes until we become like Him.