We have been considering the Lord’s odd choice of table companions. First the religious fussers are upset with Him.
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:1).
But Jesus is not in the business of stepping into our world in order to choose sides. Notice what He did in the previous chapter.
“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him” (Luke 14:1).
Not only was He eating with a Pharisee here, but with one of the chief Pharisees. Jesus does not choose sides between tax collector and zealot, but calls one of each to His side as part of the Twelve. Jesus does not choose between Jew or Greek, or male and female. He does not choose between centurion and freedom fighter. Jesus did not become man in order to help us with our project, whatever we thought it was.
Jesus is the new humanity, and so this is the Table of the new humanity. Jesus has called us all together—individuals who would have come together for no other reason—and at this Table all our petty differences are told to disappear. How many times when you were a child did your mother say something like, “Don’t bring that to the table.” Something similar happens here. Do you have differences? Fine. But don’t bring them to the Table. When you are given His welcome, always remember that others are given the same welcome. So come, and welcome.