“Jesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners: A Call to Righteous Engagement”
Luke 5:30-32
“But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
“Is our presence in the world an influence for holiness, or are we being influenced by the world?”
I. Jesus’ Example: Engaging Without Compromising
A. Jesus’ Intentional Association
Jesus did not avoid people who were considered outcasts or immoral by society. He intentionally spent time with them—not to approve of sin, but to reach sinners.
Mark 2:16-17
“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Discussion Point:
- Jesus ate with sinners not to join in their sin but to offer them a way out.
B. Jesus Was Not Conformed to the World
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Jesus modeled engagement without compromise. He connected without conforming.
II. Confronting Societal Constructs That Displease God
A. Understanding the Society We Live In
Many societal norms today directly oppose God’s Word—sexual immorality, pride, greed, injustice, etc. But avoidance alone is not the biblical model.
John 17:15-18
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”
Discussion Point:
- We are in the world, but not of the world. We are sent as ambassadors of Christ.
B. Bold But Gracious Witness
2 Timothy 2:24-26
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…”
Ephesians 4:15
“But speaking the truth in love…”
Application:
- When confronting unbiblical constructs, we do so with truth, but also with grace and love.
III. Practical Guidelines for Christian Men Today
- Know the Word – You can’t stand for truth if you don’t know what truth is.
- Be Present, Not Passive – Avoiding sinners isolates the gospel. Jesus entered dark places to bring light.
- Check Your Influence – Ask: Am I drawing them to Christ, or are they drawing me away?
- Stand Firm, Love Deep – Balance conviction with compassion.
- Model Holiness – Be a visible, living standard of Christ-like character in every environment.
Bring it Home: Jesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners
- Why do you think the Pharisees were so upset that Jesus ate with sinners?
- How can we engage with a sinful culture without compromising our faith?
- What’s one way we as Christian men can be a light in a dark workplace or community?
- Have you ever avoided someone or some group because of their sin, instead of reaching out with love?
Conclusion: Jesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners
Jesus didn’t hide from sinners—He sought them out. But He never compromised truth. He showed us how to live in the world, stand for righteousness, and still love people deeply.
Micah 6:8
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
“Seek out one opportunity to show Christ’s love this week to someone who is far from God—without judgment, with full grace and truth.” Jesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners