But Jesus Ate With Sinners

Steven’s Scribbles
“But Jesus Ate With Sinners”
Luke 7:34
A common mantra heard during the month of June is, “Jesus would have had dinner with these people.” That statement is certainly true—but often, the meaning behind it is, “Jesus loves me just as I am, and I don’t need to change.” Yes, Jesus does love everyone. And yes, He gave His life for sinners. But that love does not give anyone permission to continue living in sin without repentance (Romans 6:1–2).
Jesus did not come merely to accept people in their sins—He came to call them out of it. As Paul wrote, He came “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12).
“But Jesus ate with sinners!” Certainly—but those sinners left changed. Zacchaeus, for example, was despised among the Jews, yet after meeting Jesus, he repented and offered restitution to anyone he had wronged (Luke 19:1–10). The woman caught in the very act of adultery was not affirmed in her sin—Jesus told her, “Go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). The sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in the house of Simon was repentant, sorrowful, and reverent—not proud or defiant. In response, Jesus said, “Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven” (Luke 7:36–50).
Yes, Jesus’ association with sinners earned Him an unfair reputation (Luke 7:34), but that judgment came from those who refused to repent. Notice—it wasn’t the penitent who opposed Him. It was the unrepentant who demanded that Jesus change His message rather than change themselves.
So, who will we be? Will we be those who refuse to repent and demand that Jesus conform to our lifestyle? Or will we be those who humbly repent and are “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1–2)?
Jesus dined with sinners, yes—but He never left them unchanged. Neither should we.
I love you all!
In His Service,
Steven Hugley