And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Mark 2:16
A quiet man, a stranger to us, joined us at our table during the company’s Christmas banquet. Although he didn’t say much, he acted friendly and pleasant, and enjoyed his meal like the rest of us. He gave only his first name and aroused so little curiosity that we didn’t ask him who he was or where he was from. During the ceremonies after we had eaten, the regional vice-president told us he was not going to be making the speech. Instead, he was going to allow the corporate president to address us. We looked around for the man but could not see him in the dining hall. Imagine our surprise when the vice-president pointed to our table, and introduced the quiet man who had been our table companion! He earned a lot of respect from us, as we realized he was not too important to sit with the regular workers. We should also revere the Lord Jesus all the more to consider His willingness to dine with the lowlife and riffraff of society.
We cannot imagine the glory that the Lord Jesus had before He came to this earth. Angels rushed to minister to Him, and worship and adoration was His right and due. But at the publicans’ banquet, most had little idea Who He was, although they surely appreciated His companionship. But looking back on that dinner, we realize that the scribes and Pharisees asked a good question, although from the wrong motive. How is it that the Lord from Heaven could sit in such a company? What made such an appearance at that meal possible? What’s more, what makes it possible for Him to be our daily companion today? We can start with the grace of God. That grace has brought us into His banqueting house. We can also consider His love. Love so amazing that it brought the Lord Jesus not only into the world but all the way to the cross to bridge the gap between ourselves and the holiness of God!
We often make choices as to who we spend time with, who we associate with, who we allow to share our space and time. There are some people who we choose to exclude. Do you realize that Jesus never made such a discriminatory choice? All those who want His presence will be welcome. After all, we are not any better than those folks who enjoyed His presence at Levi’s house.
Did the Lord Jesus actually enjoy the company of those publicans and sinners? Yes He did! And He enjoys our company today, longing that we would enjoy His companionship more. -Jim MacIntosh