They had a Fit (MSG)
Jesus was eating and chatting at Matthew's house (a tax collector) and some of Matthew's friends (disreputable characters). He had his disciples with Him and I imagine them chatting casually and getting to know those they were eating with.
The Pharisees were concerned about reputation, not about the people Jesus was eating with. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?" (MSG)
Jesus was there caring more about the people than reputation. He stated "I'm after mercy, not religion. I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." (MSG)
Jesus calls us to reach out to outsiders, to show mercy, to show love and and to live for the Kingdom not for ourselves.
The Pharisees were concerned about reputation, not about the people Jesus was eating with. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?" (MSG)
Jesus was there caring more about the people than reputation. He stated "I'm after mercy, not religion. I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." (MSG)
Jesus calls us to reach out to outsiders, to show mercy, to show love and and to live for the Kingdom not for ourselves.
