Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. - Matthew 9:10

A self-righteous person, when he reads how Jesus dines and associates with sinners, will consider it to be a tacit endorsement of sin, assign guilt by association, and then accuse Jesus of taking part in the other person’s immorality. This is what the Pharisees and other Church officials did. An unrighteous person will consider it to be an explicit endorsement of sin, as if Jesus accepts all types of behaviors and has nothing to say about them in the way of judgment.

Both are wrong. Jesus does not endorse sin either tacitly or explicitly. As the Holy, incarnate Son of God, His whole purpose is to enter into this cosmos where sin holds sway with everyone and everything – the proof of sin being death, disease, all manner of evil and more – and take it all away, first by becoming sin on the cross and atoning for it, then by being raised up through the glory of the Father as proof and substance of a righteousness that avails before God, through which He intercedes for all who call on His Name. His purpose is not to endorse sin, but to remove it and thereby embrace poor sinners so they may enter into His courts with praise both in this life and in the life to come. But how will sin be removed from those who do not even know what it is or do not treat it seriously?

In Jesus there is one case where it happens literally to be true: “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” His Church would damn him for associating with sinners, and sinners who looked on and wagged their heads as His crucifixion took place, would damn him, too. Most of all, He would be forsaken of God, which is truly what it means to be damned. This damning took place upon Him for our sakes, because He is our true Substitute in our flesh, who renders satisfaction before the Holy Creator for our offenses.

The entirety of the Sacred Scriptures point to this very Christ and His work on behalf of poor sinners, a work that continues to this day because He lives and distributes His benefits in His Church through His Word and preachers.

It is inappropriate at best to toss Matthew 9:10 out into print as red meat in the interest of stemming a perceived hypocrisy or injustice. The sinners whom Jesus joined – He chose to join them, they did not invite him unless they first realized their sinful condition before God – they were not there to hurl obscenities and insults like so many today who howl, yowl, indulge in all kinds of sexual immorality and debauchery and then throw Matthew 9:10 out like so much fodder for pigs as if there is an excuse for wrongdoing.

Some of the sinners and tax collectors mentioned above doubtless wandered in after Jesus was present, and Jesus was intent on dining with them, too. But it would be a sorry conclusion to suggest Jesus throws Himself into debauchery or welcomes it. He is a perfect example of being in the world but not of the world, as He also disciplines His followers to be.

It is also unbecoming at best to publish verses of Sacred Scripture and comment upon them without being subject to discipline, both by the Scriptures and by the Church to whom the Scriptures are given. There is a reason Jesus speaks of His followers as disciples. Unless one is under the care and tutelage of one who has studied and knows the Scriptures, it is best not to speak and apply the biblical texts until one is under such care and willing to accept admonition. Jesus says, “Test the spirits.” He also enjoins all under His care to be continually devoted to His teaching.

Tossing out a few Bible verses and then assigning applications on the fly is hardly characteristic of Christian disciples or the Church. It happens all too often, like certain hyenas who quote from the Book of Leviticus and then suggest Christians think they are enjoined thereby to carry out the laws prescribed to the people of Israel at that time. Such people are not willing to be subject to Church discipline. They would rather do their own thing. They have accepted themselves as an authority. They will not tolerate correction. As a result their comments are worse than misleading. They are an abomination.

This is not characteristic the Christian Church, where, by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, Christians, pastors, teachers and all are subjected by the Holy Spirit to the biblical texts as a whole, and to one another so that they are built up. This is God’s doing. It not some kind of voluntary association, because God ultimately speaks His truth when and where it pleases Him, and works faith when and where it pleases Him, and He is not confused as to what we are to believe, teach, and confess.

Yes, there are manifest differences between Church bodies and even controversies over biblical interpretation. That is the nature of living in a sinful world. But just as Jesus' presence at table with sinners is not an endorsement of sin, the presence of divisions in the Church, or even sinners in the Church, is not an indictment against Jesus. He is the Head, and His Christians, weak as they appear to be (and are), are His members, who are placed into His body unto life everlasting.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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