Drinking, Misfits, and Sinners

Sunday, we reflected on Jesus getting “in trouble” with the religious leaders because he had a feast with what they called “misfits, sinners, and scum.” Let’s look at it from two different translations:

“Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with such scum?’” –Luke 5:29-30 NLT

“Levi gave a large dinner at his home for Jesus. Everybody was there, tax men and other disreputable characters as guests at the dinner. The Pharisees and their religious scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. ‘What is he doing eating and drinking with misfits and ‘sinners’?’” –Luke 5:29-30 MSG

This passage has set our tone for this series, helping us focus on becoming more open to our spiritual journey and not being afraid to show our imperfections. Levi, better known as Matthew, knew he didn’t deserve a religious teacher to come to his home, but he was proud to have him there. Throwing a feast to celebrate was a very Jewish thing to do. The irony is that those teachers of the law would have expected the same treatment, except in a more “respectable” home and with more “upstanding” dinner guests. Other than that, the food and wine would have been the same.

"What drove Jesus’ enemies crazy were his criticisms of the “perfect” religious people and his acceptance of the imperfect nonreligious people. The shocking implication of Jesus’ ministry is that anyone can be spiritual." (Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli. p. 21)

It’s an actual “pot calling the kettle black” situation here. Let’s think of it in a modern situation. Football situation is upon us. Have you known a fan who thought all other fans were too extreme, yet everything else in the world stops when their team is playing? You could apply this to anything: Star Wars, hobbies, Cross Fit, etc.

Jesus’ point in the passage is that we’re all misfits and sinners. He’d rather eat with the group that knows they need spiritual help than with the group that thinks they have everything figured out. I’m right there with him.