Tax Collectors (and others of ill repute)

There are a few things you never want to be in life.

1. Thief
2. Murderer
3. IRS agent

We could probably add more to this list, but I want to keep it short.

I prefer focusing on what you should do, instead of what you shouldn’t.

Maybe I’m being too harsh on tax collectors.

And maybe today’s tax collectors aren’t as bad as they used to be.  But I would still have them on this list.  They have never had a good reputation.  Just read the Bible and see for yourself.

Back in Jesus’s day, they weren’t actually paid a salary (as far as I know).  But they were given the task of getting the money.  And whatever extra they could extract, that was theirs.  If you couldn’t pay, they could lend you a little (with a hefty interest tacked on).   Almost like a state-sanctioned bookie.  Except they never paid out, just took in.

In the Bible, they worked for the enemy empire.

To help keep the people down.

To keep the people broke and powerless.

They were traitors to their country, their religion, and their family.

In walks Jesus.

And he takes a seat at the table.

It’s not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick.

So he takes these traitors and offers them a new chance.  To change their lives forever.  And some take him up on it.

And in the mix of helping the sick and destitute, Jesus tells us life is a feast.

A party.

A thing to celebrate.

While we can.

While we have the opportunity.

There will be plenty of time to mourn.

To fast.

To be silent.

But now…

Now is the time for celebration.

For eating and drinking.

For singing and dancing.

For living with purpose.

For answering the call.

For healing the sick.

For kingdom come.

p.s.

If you don’t mind sitting at the table with a group of ill repute, you can join our band of merry troublemakers on Sunday mornings 10 am.  First Baptist Church, Pontotoc.