Tax Collectors and Sinners

Why does Jesus seem to gravitate toward tax collectors and sinners? The Bible describes Jesus frequently associating with people with questionable backgrounds. And it’s not a small segment of the population, but people from all walks of life. Sometimes it’s tax collectors, who were generally known to be crooked, but other times we seem him carrying meaningful conversations with foreigners, women, the sick and ill, and just “sinners” in general.

What’s more, observers often criticize Jesus for hanging out with such riffraff. This, of course, tells us something about his critics.

But it also tells us something about the nature God. Jesus didn’t simply have chance encounters with such folk. He deliberately sought out those who are rejected by the rest of society. What does this tell us about our mission as God’s people?

Blessings,

Pastor Paul Cook