Tax Collectors & Sinners

I think oftentimes we say we want to love like Jesus—but have you ever paused to consider what the Scriptures say the Pharisees said about Him?

Sidenote: The Pharisees were a group of Jewish religious leaders known for strictly following the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) and other written laws. They were legalistic and frequently criticized Jesus.

Here’s what they said:

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” — Luke 7:34 (NIV)

“The Son of Man came, and he ate and drank, and you said, ‘Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!’” — Luke 7:34 (GNT)

They called Him a friend of tax collectors and sinners. When we think of friendship, we often think of those we do life with—people in our inner circle. But for Jesus, the way He treated and loved others made everyone feel like a friend. He would sit down for a meal with a tax collector, a nonbeliever, or even wait for a woman at a well—because at His core was love and a mission to share the heart of God.

So I ask you:
Is your friend group diverse?
Can you be in a room full of people who don’t believe in Jesus, and still have your image and character reflect Him?
Is the way you love others echoing into every room you enter?

I encourage us to reflect on how we love and lead—like Jesus.