Hanging Out With Undesirables
Most of us have a doctored image of Jesus. And however often we hear that He associated with those whom His own society considered unacceptable, our imagination either holds back from going all the way or goes too far. Often, rather than quietly coming to grips with what that aspect of Jesus' life should mean for us today on a personal basis, we use His behavior to beat one another on the head, for being too exclusive, too conservative, in regard to the more seedy elements of the society. One suspects, however, that a careful examination of Jesus' relations with the undesirables of His day would leave most (if not all) of us feeling at least a tad uncomfortable.
Examine the following passages. What message can we take from them? Matt. 9:10-13; 11:18, 19; Luke 5:32; 1 Cor. 1:26-28.
If we apply these passages to our times, our imagination should see Jesus sitting down with people of questionable morals in settings of deepest fellowship (as was mealtime in the ancient world). Eating and drinking are taking place; loud and raucous music is heard; practicing prostitutes lurk in the shadows. That is the setting, and that is precisely where Jesus went.
Interestingly, it is from Jesus Himself that we learn about the most pejorative labels his enemies promulgated about Him: that He was "a glutton and a drunkard" (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34, NIV). "These slurs would never work against a John the Baptist or a Gandhi, but for one who spends as much time as Jesus does frequenting and talking about dinner parties and banquets, they make a point, even if exaggerated"—F. Scott Spencer, What Did Jesus Do?, p. 90. However exaggerated, it was nothing short of extraordinary for the Savior of the world to be charged with inebriation and overeating.
What can we learn from these texts that we can apply to our own lives? What should we not apply? As you answer, think about what purpose Jesus had for being with these people. How does that answer help us understand what practical principles we can take away?
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