Tag: Repentance

Jesus Ate With Tax Collectors, Prostitutes, and Other Sinners, and We Can Too

James Hutton
A painting showing three Biblical scenes of mercy. The center shows a good shepherd carrying a small sheep on his shoulder. To the right of it is the prodigal son weeping into the lap of his father. The left side shows a man lifting a man up off the ground. It may be the Good Samaritan helping the man who was attacked on the road to Jericho.

In the Gospels, Jesus regularly ate with sinners. This is the case even for those who are often rejected in the New Testament, such as tax collectors and prostitutes. This is kind of surprising, isn't it? Absolutely! However, Jesus did not eat with them simply for the sake of physical nourishment. He was teaching them while they ate together.

The Parable of the Two Sons, Repentance, and God the Father

James Hutton
Clusters of grapes hanging in a vineyard.

Near the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares the Parable of the Two Sons. In the story, the first son doesn't remain disobedient. He changes his mind. He goes to the vineyard as his father commanded. He is obedient and does his will. We can also change our minds, and seek to follow the will of God the Father.