Now I've got nothing against anyone inviting whomever one wants to invite to a party; I just find it significant that Jesus invites people who are not really like him to his party. People that might, you know, damage his reputation. Because these are not good people he's hanging out with here -- not the disciples, I'm not talking about them (even though they were there, and probably thinking along these same lines). I imagine that the disciples felt a bit uncomfortable, being surrounded by all these unsavory sorts. But what could they do? Jesus had invited these folks, the disciples hadn't. What did Jesus think he was doing?

Actually, in spite of the questionable character of the guests (or perhaps owing to it) this was quite a party that Jesus threw. I mean, think about it -- those tax collectors had a lot of money, and usually spent it lavishly, and most likely they bought -- I mean, brought -- along some interesting friends to entertain: Dancers and musicians, and perhaps other "entertainers" and the kind of folk that might hang around them. It caused quite a ruckus, so much so that the neighbors couldn't help but hear and see what was going on when some of the disciples were approached by members of the local religious authority, the Pharisees. (You thought I was going to say Baptists.)

At first no one said anything, no one had to say anything, for the embarrassment was obvious. Here was Jesus, who up to this point had spent all his time and energy proclaiming the Good News (as he called it) about seeking the Kingdom of God and God's righteousness, and now he's behind throwing one of the biggest parties of the year for some of the most despised people in the city? What did Jesus think he was doing?

The discrepancy seemed obvious; so the question, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" was not a real request for information, but a polite way of saying, "What's going on here? Would you please see that it stops, and stops soon!?"

But somehow in the midst of that party Jesus heard their question; I'm sure they didn't ask it very quietly. But Jesus came over to where his disciples and these religious leaders stood. Now Jesus had seen these detractors before, and he knew and understood well their position. For them, God demanded holiness of behavior. That was how one best showed God that one loved God, by keeping the law, and thereby maintaining a spirit of holiness through one's behavior.

So Jesus, looking at them, said very plainly, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Initially, I don't think this response bothered those who were complaining out loud about Jesus and his party. In fact, his answer put it all in perspective. Jesus had come to love and to lead people to God; those who already had a relationship with God didn't need him, he said.

Jesus had come to reach those who had no relationship with God, or no knowledge of the possibility of a relationship with God. He said as much when he stated, "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." All this makes a lot of sense, really. But I don't think this is actually what bothered his critics.

I think what bothered the religious leaders, and others, was the way Jesus went about doing what he did. He acted with confidence; he acted with boldness; he expected things to happen and they usually did. And when he spoke, he spoke "as one with authority," as one of the Gospel writers later noted.

It was his behavior that really bothered those leaders, who clearly saw Jesus as some "Johnny-come-lately" prophet who had neither tradition nor longevity on which to stand. And the fact that some of their people -- good people, people whom they had led in worship for years -- were now following him and his teachings must have driven them nuts.

And then the "Go and learn" crack -- What did Jesus think he was doing? That comment probably served as the icing on the cake. You see, a rabbi, a teacher of the law would be one to say to his students, "Go and learn…" because then they would actually do it -- the students would carry out the assignment (what they were to go and learn) before their next meeting with the rabbi.

For Jesus to say to these leaders, "Go and learn" was about as strong a putdown as they could have heard from him, for it implied that Jesus was there to teach them. And I seriously doubt that they heard anything that Jesus said after they heard "go and learn" come from his lips. Which is a shame, because had they actually gone and learned what "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" means, they would have had a key into understanding this Jesus of Nazareth, our rabbi and teacher, indeed.

For you see, Jesus threw this lavish party in order to demonstrate God's all encompassing and lavish love for all people, especially those people who some others might consider unacceptable to God. Jesus wanted to show that God's mercy makes all people holy before God, not their behavior. Human behavior can never measure up to God's holiness.

So Jesus threw a banquet to say "God loves you" to people who might not otherwise hear that from anybody, because other people might feel too afraid to get close to them. Jesus could do this confidently because he lived day to day in complete awareness of God's unconditional love for people and the freedom that love brings.

Only out of our own awareness of God's love and mercy can we ever hope to extend an experience of God's love and mercy to those who don't know it, to those who don't believe it possible, to those who desperately need it.

The call of Matthew to "follow me"

The call of Matthew to "follow me"

The call of Matthew to "follow me"

With this grace, we can act with confidence that

What did Jesus think he was doing when he called Matthew? What did Jesus think he was doing when he opened his home and table to all others?

Nothing less than giving us an example that we should follow him, follow in his steps, and do as he did.

That's what Jesus thought he was doing.

Now let us consider whom we should be inviting

The Rev'd Timothy M. Dombek
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
301 Piney Mountain Road
Greenville, SC 29609-3035
(864) 244-6358
stjamesrector@mindspring.com

Copyright © 2002 Timothy M. Dombek All Rights Reserved.