Strangely it is in Matthew’s Gospel, the 11th chapter that says, the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
I say strangely, because it is usually Luke that associates Jesus with sitting down and reclining at meals.
And of course, Jesus would be eating with sinners…(I mean)…who else would he eat with?
So, this text – that is before us this evening is quite typical of Luke.
Don’t know if you knew this before or not – but Luke often pictures Jesus as eating and drinking.
Jesus does common, ordinary – every- day things…expected things…just like all of us…
From the calling of Matthew – that hated tax collector to the Last Supper – Passover Meal with his disciples, trust me, there are many, many meals in between. And even a couple that occurred after the resurrection!
Eating is good. Sharing meals is good. At one time it was considered to be one of the most intimate things you could do with another person.
A big thing was made out of “sharing meals…”
A bigger thing was made out of “who” you actually ate with.
Were they above you or below you? Were they possibly your equal?
Would they or could they return the favor and pay you back? What exactly would be an “acceptable timeframe?”
People were poor.
Food was scarce.
Money was even more scarce.
Not everyone could afford a sit down meal with friends.
Repayment in kind was a serious issue.
All of it – was a matter of “honor” or of “shame.”
So, the Jesus of Luke’s gospel…likes to eat and drink. Luke’s Jesus also – always seems to have a very “open table” for his personal dining.
It is, as if, he will allow anyone to join with him…
Which is why…the church is supposed to practice “open communion tables” – all are to be welcome!
No one is to be turned away…or not included.
“Welcoming” is not an easy task. A lot of people are uncomfortable with talking to strangers or inviting them forward.
Many of us are typically shy and reticent talking about matters of faith with strangers. It is easier to just keep quiet.
No one really wants to extend an invitation to someone who has already been a member of the church for 30 – 40 years.
So welcoming someone who is new or is clearly different from us – presents even more challenges.
There is a reason that Sunday Mornings are still the most segregated time in North America…it is because “like attracts like.”
That is also the reason – that most churches are mono-racial.
So in this case, on this occasion the setting seemed hostile. We “get that” because we have already been warned about the intentions of Jesus’ opponents.
The tension was heightened.
They were “watching him” closely. This too is a recurring theme in Luke’s gospel. They are always watching him. They are always setting traps for him. They are ready to spring!
Jesus seemingly is unconcerned. He simply watches them – watching him!
There is a bigger picture! A picture we all need to keep in mind.
We come to the table in our need. We come as individuals and yet we come corporately. We come in our brokenness. We approach the altar of grace, in our joy and in our sorrow. We come with our prejudice and with our bigotry. We come as we are. We come – wanting to welcome others…but not really knowing how. Some come filled with fear, while others come with hope. We come in our confusion, and we come with our questions and our uncertainties. Some are obviously bored – while others come longingly and with great amount of personal excitement. Some come for the first time and some come for the last time. Some come out of curiosity. And some are merely on “auto-pilot.” Some come and are watching others…some come with their own agendas. Some come in order to entrap.
All of us are welcome at this table of grace…all who come are loved and forgiven.
The important thing is that “we come.”