Eating with Sinners

5:30 — Luk 5:32

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And so it's ok for us to visit bars, discos, KTV lounges and even brothels to "preach the gospel"?

We note that this was a feast at home, organised by Levi (the apostle Matthew, writer of Matthew cf. Mat 9:9). The publicans and others were invited guests, and apparently according to the account in Matthew 9, had gathered because of Jesus. They had probably heard of Jesus and were eager to hear of this phenomenal individual who performed miracles and spoke with authority.

So the point that Jesus was trying to make here is the fact that no one should be denied the Gospel. He was trying to hit home the point to his detractors that the Gospel is for all and not just for the Jews. The account is not trying to show where we should go to preach the gospel, which in any case, would have been more appropriately compared to, say a friend's Christmas party!

Anyone and everyone, regardless of background, and especially those who are seeking after the truth, deserves the Word to be preached to them. 

And yes, while we need to go out into the world to reach the lost and be flexible in our approach (not message!) (Cf. 1co 5:10; 9:20-23), it remains much more expedient for us to avoid unsavory and unconducive places.