March 4 – Eating with Sinners - Listening

Matthew 9:9-13

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”  But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ (Hosea 6:6) for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Romans 3:23 says, “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Jesus came to all men---but not all men come to Jesus. The Pharisees saw themselves above the tax collectors and sinners and just didn’t see the big picture----ALL HAVE SINNED. Jesus went beyond seeing the “sin” and desired “compassion.”  He wants us to be compassionate—to be concerned, considerate, gentle, benevolent, and kindhearted towards others. The compassion in Hosea 6:6 is lovingkindness, the Hebrew word, hered.

Jesus sat at a table---actually reclined, since that was the custom of the day. This is shown by the Passover meal at the Richland Nazarene Church in 2008.

In Jesus day they didn’t have tall tables and chairs like we do now. Just low tables and cushions. The people that He chose to eat with were not just the Temple ruling Pharisee---but everyday people. He talked and listened to them. Listening is a part of being compassionate. How can you know someone’s needs, if you don’t listen to them?  Listen like Jesus does---and imagine sitting, or reclining, with Him at His table---feasting on His words.

How are you “compassionate” today?  Are you listening to others, or just waiting for them to listen to you?

Jesus, I want to feast on your words. Open my ears to hear you speak specifically to me today.

© 2011 by Mickey M. Hunacek.  All rights reserved.