How do we typically understand the offense of Jesus’ table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners in Luke 15:1-2? We’re usually taught that Jesus was breaking the social rules (which he most certainly was). Yet why would breaking the social rules warrant the leaders’ determination to eliminate Jesus? When you and I break social rules, like sharing a meal or a hug with a homeless person on the streets, nobody in power threatens to eliminate us.
There must be something we’re missing in our reading of this passage.
Consider the follow contextual perspective that might shed some light on this or at least stimulate further reflection:
Israel was occupied by imperialists. Tax collectors were considered, “agents of the Empire.” In Jesus’ day, nationalistic forces were gathering strength. For Jesus to eat with such folks was seen as a betrayal of the nation and its God. Throw into the mix, “sinners” who were considered unclean socially and religiously, and Jesus’ table-sharing act of acceptance and belonging was quite offensive.
Yet this needs further unpacking.
Remember that Israel had a collective identity as a nation. The leaders were guardians of the nation’s faith and destiny as a people. Jesus’ table-fellowshipping with tax collectors and sinners spoke symbolically to Israel’s leaders. It said loud and clear, and quite graphically: This is a look at Israel’s future…what do you think? Given Jesus’ reputation as a religious leader, the widespread following he was acquiring, and the authority he assumed, this made him a threat to the nation. For the leaders of Israel would never accept Jesus’ table-sharing vision of God’s kingdom as a sign of Israel’s future! And, who was this Jesus to even suggest such a thing?!
Let me know what you think of this perspective on the text.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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