Jesus eats with sinners MT 9:10-13

Introduction

What kind of people is Jesus interested in?

We can answer this by looking at the kinds of people he chose to spend time with while on earth.

It is a joy isn’t it to meet up with other people and enjoy a meal together. What we are doing here is something Jesus did a lot of.

Jesus often ate meals with people. Jesus did this in a way that set him apart from other religious leaders in his day. In Jesus’ day eating a meal with someone was to associate with them. This means you wanted to eat a meal with people that were respected or people you love. You didn’t want to be seen to eat a meal with bad people.

Religious leaders and teachers would eat meals with other religious people. They would steer clear of people that were thought to be sinners. People that had a bad reputation. People who were known for doing things that were seen as wrong.

But Jesus was different. Jesus loves broken and flawed people and rather than avoid them Jesus spent time with them. The reason being they were the ones he wanted to bring back to God.

Read Account Matt 9:10-13

I. Jesus was sitting with sinners v.10

Tax collectors- Seen as the worst. Explain.

Sinners- prostitutes, thieves - People known publicly for their sin.

Application-

All people are sinners. Rom 3:23.

Here we see Jesus won’t turn you away if you come to him no matter how bad you’ve been. or how long you’ve rejected him.

II. Pharisees were sitting in judgement v.11

Explain Pharisees

They looked down on these people. They wouldn’t be seen in the same room as them never mind eat at the same table.

The Pharisees believed these sinful people would make them unclean if they associated with them.

Application-

This is often how people today think Jesus thinks of sinful people. But the opposite is true. The Bible is making a clear contrast. Jesus was unlike the Pharisees. It was true then and its true today.

The Pharisees despised sinful people, they looked down on them and thought being near to them made them unclean.

Jesus on the other hand loves sinful people, he wants to lift them out of their sin, he wanted to spend time with them because he loved them and could help them.

Jesus isn’t on earth anymore, he is in heaven. But he still cares for sinful people and wants them to believe in him. SO he can restore them and bring them back to God.

III. Jesus still offers sinners a seat at his table v.12-13

Jesus is clearly contrasted with the Pharisees.

Jesus is criticised by the Pharisees. But he answers them by telling them about why he came into the world.

The reason he came-

a) Didn’t come for righteous

He did not come for those who think they are righteous- Those who think they have done no wrong.

Jesus didn’t come to gather people who think they are worthy of his love.

b) Came for sinners

But to call sinners to repentance- call - invite

He came for those who know they have failed-

Sinner is someone who has broken the law of God.

Rom 3:23 that is everyone. But Jesus is talking about people who admit it.

The way we come to Jesus and receive his welcome is repentance- turning and trusting.

Three important take aways-

You must admit your not good

You must come to Jesus

You must come in repentance

How can Jesus welcome people who have broken God’s law? How can he accept sinful people?

He can welcome sinful people when they repent and believe in him because of what he has done for them.

Jesus the Son of God came from heaven to earth. While he was on earth Jesus always perfectly obeyed God, he didn’t sin once. Then he died on the cross in order to pay for our sins. Three days later he rose from the dead.

Because of his life, death and resurrection when we believe in him God forgives us because of the sacrifice he made on our behalf. He stands in our place and pays our debt of sin with his own life. Now we can be accepted and forgiven when we come to him in repentance.

Now we can have a seat with him at his table.

He brings us into God’s family. He changes us. He forgives us. He keeps us. He takes us to be with him in heaven.

Conclusion

Jesus often ate meals with people. The people Jesus chose to eat with shows us something of what he is like. From this meal we have read about we see Jesus has a heart of love for people who have done bad. Rather than pointing the finger at them we are reminded that these are the very ones he came to save. He is interested in sinful people and wants to bring them back to God.

He calls them to repentance assuring them of his forgiveness if they do.

Jesus is the same today. He loves people who are sinners. He cares for them and wants them to come to him for help.

What should be our response to this?

ABC

A- Admit- I’m not good. I have sinned. I am guilty.

B- Believe in Jesus- repent and trust in him as Saviour

C- Confess him as Lord

The Bible says one day Jesus will eat with his people in heaven. Its called the marriage supper of the Lamb. When Jesus and his church are united in heaven. He offers you a seat at that table.

We started with the question what kind of people is Jesus interested in? We’ve seen he is interested in you regardless of what you’ve done. The question I end with is are you interested in Jesus?