And as he reclined at the table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came no to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17
The religious leaders were outraged when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. In their culture, offering to eat with someone is the same as offering friendship.
They were outraged because there is so much more to a meal than just nourishing our bodies. There is a spiritual and social part to it has well. Our word companion actually comes from the combination of two Latin words “cum” which mean with and “panis” meaning “bread.” A bond is assumed when we eat with someone.

Jesus would eat with people who were far from God and didn’t even seem to have an interest in God. He ate with people who appeared to have rejected God completely. The religious leaders were outraged because by eating with them, they thought Jesus was validating their ungodly behavior. But Jesus cared more about establishing a bond with people then condemning their behavior. Jesus would challenge but always in the context of a relationship. As a result, people who were nothing like Jesus liked him and ate with him. If we are following Jesus then the same will be true for us.

Pray today for the opportunity to eat with people in your neighborhood who are far from God so you can lead them closer to him.