Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:29-30 I think it is safe to say the Olympic painting this week has stirred the mound. I have seen every manner of attack by those in the flesh and even more of those behind the keyboard, in the past several hours. Most do not seem interested in the real truth behind the canvas. Perception upon perception flies like birds of prey with little care for who they attack and how many they devour. I’ve seen a few familiar faces casting an unfair and false identity, seeming to know every answer behind the publication without really focusing on who it actually is sitting at the table and why. I am not one to approve of any contempt or profanity that may radiate from the surface of the burlap, especially given my current Christ following position, but there is more to the story, I feel. As a familiar resemblance with the man, I see in the mirror every morning to those in the portrait seethes to the surface, I cannot ignore the conviction fizzing up behind it. I would be in grave danger if I did, judging those Jesus more than likely had dinner with on most of His occasions to gather.
The piece of Scripture where Jesus breaks bread with tax collectors and sinners, putting the religious world into a tailspin, is a humbling reminder of just how many times this artwork appears in the narrative. The level of mockery and blasphemy that entered Matthew’s house would reside well outside the barriers of any nomogram if it could be measured. I wonder how many of them would have failed a drug test prior to their arrival. How many of them would have stepped on their brother’s throat to get the best seat at the table. How many of them cheated God out of his ten percent and how many of them talked behind their neighbor’s back, telling a lie to get in. The unwelcome and the unwanted were on the guest list of Who’s Who and sadly, would more than likely not be allowed in our churches today for fear their filth “may stain the carpet.” Many times, in Scripture we see Jesus troubled because His believers and followers don’t get it. Despite the parables, miracles and divine interventions, they just don’t see it. They view Jesus and the coming kingdom as another opportunity to redeem themselves, adorn a crown of gold and build their own “new Jerusalem.”
Unfortunately, I have sat in this highchair of opinion and matter of fact on one too many occasions. It has been an extremely comfortable position and has required very little accountability. I can breathe easily, and I am always surprised at how much clarity I have when the answer does not point to me. But, usher in a reminder of how many times I’ve pointed the finger rather than washed a foot, been married to the job instead of my family, built a wall in place of a bridge in front of my brother, ignored the offering plate in exchange for another foot of brick and mortar and pushed a competitor down as opposed to helping him win the race, and you will find out just how sick I really am. If the depiction is in fact a sarcastic rendition of the Lord’s Last Supper, then I too am guilty as charged, and in desperate need of the only Doctor there ever was.
