Trent A. Tyer

–Written December 30th, 2023

We have all heard someone quote this passage when referring to spending time in the presence of unbelievers and those who have not yet given their life to God: “Well, Jesus ate with publicans and sinners.” You’re right. He did. Let’s take a closer look at this passage using Matthew’s account.

Jesus had just called Matthew from his career as a tax collector to follow him. Matthew then hosts Jesus and his disciples at his house, and it appears that numerous other tax collectors and sinners also had come to this gathering. As with many other stories in the life of Jesus, this wholesome moment could not go on without the Pharisees raising a stink.

The Pharisees and scribes approached Jesus’ disciples and asked, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:11 ESV). A Pharisee would never be caught doing such a thing. From their elitist viewpoint, they saw it as a so-called “Master” sitting at a sinner’s table. In reality, sinners had come to eat the Master’s table.  

Jesus replies to the Pharisees, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12 ESV). He then instructs them to go and study an Old Testament passage of scripture that states, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” He explains: “For I came not to call the righteous [or the self-righteous], but sinners.”

Let’s put it like this, if you want to get the doctor’s attention, bring an infirmity. If you want to attract attention to yourself to feed your ego, be self-righteous. 

In church culture, we can be quick to turn our nose up toward those who are infirmed—especially those who are sick spiritually. We are quick to judge one other off of expectations that none of us can meet without absolute dependence upon Jesus Christ. What does all this judgment bring? It brings the intense pressure of “performance”. 

As someone who is on a day-to-day healing journey from perfectionism, performing is in my nature. The pressure to appear as everything I ought to be weighs constantly on my shoulders. It is a burden I cannot stand to carry any longer.

Let us all adopt this mindset: if I cry after Jesus as if it is my first time on an altar, so be it. If tears pour down my face in brokenness as I seek the touch of the Master’s hand, let it be so. The fact that I have had the Holy Ghost for 15 years as of writing this does not negate my desperate need for God. If I rejoice over a little progress in my spiritual journey as if I had just received the Holy Ghost, allow me to.

Are we not sometimes like the Pharisees who outwardly demonstrated no need for the Savior’s help? Are we not fooling ourselves by casting silent pressure on ourselves and each other to “trouble not the Master”? I do not think we are afraid of troubling the Master, I think we are afraid of troubling one another and dealing with the judgment of others. 

Jesus was attracted to being around these sinners. Their actions were undoubtedly repulsive, yet his love for their soul drew him towards them. Surely, the tax collectors’ “performance” was lacking, but Jesus gifted them his presence. 

They too had a spot at the Master’s table. 

It may appear that we grant Jesus a spot at our table. However, in actuality, we are given a spot at His table. 

Anyone who sits at the Master’s table cannot earn a seat. Good performance or the lack thereof does not qualify or disqualify a soul. It is not given based on merit. It is given to the hungry. 

I heard a message recently by Brother Jeff Arnold. In this message, he drove home a profound point: God is not attracted to the full, he is attracted to the broken, the hurting, and the empty. Our self-sufficiency repels the Great Physician. 

Friend, your place at the Master’s table is not granted because of how good you are. It is not granted based on how many Bible Studies you teach. It is not granted by your gift to pray for others to get healed or receive the Holy Ghost. It is given solely by the mercy and grace of God. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves.

I lived under such tremendous pressure for so long—believing that any love I received was based on my performance. If I was invited to spend time with a family, it was because of what I had done. Before entering their home, I would remind myself of the list of possible reasons why they would invite me over. Sadly, this even applied to close friends and those dear to me.

When eating out with a group, I thought that I had earned my spot at the table. I felt that if I hadn’t earned my spot, I wouldn’t be there. Others were there just based on connection, love, and fellowship; however, I believed that I had worked my way there. Thinking in such a way also meant that my “spot” could be revoked at any moment if I failed to continue performing.

I had trouble accepting that I was there simply because people loved Trent. They didn’t love Trent the preacher, the Campus Ministry guy, the college graduate…they loved Trent, the person. There is no pressure to perform in that. 

Does that remove accountability for making good decisions? No. But, my spot wasn’t earned; someone loved me to that place at the table. The Pharisees boasted their appearance, their prayer, their alms-giving, their ceremonies, their routine, their sacrifice, their discipline, etc. Sadly, all of those layers blinded them from receiving the personal love of God shown through Jesus Christ. 

Are we, like the Pharisees, stumbling at the stumbling block of true humility? Do we refuse ourselves or others a spot at His table unless we feel that it has been earned by being “good enough”? Allow me to make this point as well: It is not humble to decline the invitation to sit at the Master’s table because you feel unworthy. Do not buy into this lie from Satan.

Please, take to heart this last point of exhortation. Jesus was very clear with His disciples about how they received a spot at the table. It is given to them freely, thus, they were to give it to others freely. Matthew did not earn an “out” from the tax collector’s booth, Jesus loved him out.

Matthew 10:8 (NIV) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

As we receive freely an opportunity to walk with Him, I pray that we do not deny others an opportunity based on our human judgment. 

Do not take on the pressure of performing, he does not expect perfection from us. He does expect, however, that we will not remain the same. He, himself, will do a mighty work in us. 

Whether you have been saved for years or this is your first time experiencing the gracefulness of His presence, you are invited. I would encourage you to come to Matthew’s house with the mindset of the tax collectors and sinners—not the Pharisees. Bring a need for the Physician to heal.

Today, I pray that you will approach the throne of grace not only with humility but with boldness. Know that you do not have to earn a spot at the table. 

A seat has been saved for you. God saw to it.

Oh, and he has been expecting you.