DISGUST – revulsion, dislike, disapproval, feeling ill caused by something unpleasant - Aimed at distancing an individual from the stimulus

LOATHING is a feeling of complete disgust.

Are there particular people or sins that disgust you?
What do you do with this emotion?

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Luke 5:30: "But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to His disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'"

Luke 15:1-2: "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'"

Matthew 9:10-11: "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'"

What is Jesus doing?
What about sin? What about his message of repentance?
Jesus tells us:
1. He's looking for the lost (Luke 15)
2. He's here for the sick (Luke 5)

Jesus is loving these people.
He’s laying groundwork for repentance.

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What about holiness?
Jesus wants us to be holy like him.
But he doesn't say, “I’ll meet you at holiness.”
He says, "I’ll carry you to holiness". I’ll meet you in your brokenness, your weakness, your sin, and I’ll put a new spirit in you that will empower you to be holy.

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The revelation Jesus offers is not that God hates sin.
Most people don’t like their sin. They hate what they see in the mirror, and if they don’t yet, they will soon enough.
The revelation is of a God who loves sinners enough to die for their sins on a cross.

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What to do with our loathing?
What do you do when you’re Feeling like a Pharisee?
Grieve sin. Love People.

Love is messy.
You'll be associated with sinners and confused as if you condone sin.
But you'll be in good company. That's what people thought of Jesus.

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Luke 6:32-36
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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Imagine the church, known for being a friend of sinners?

When was the last time you were the guest of a sinner?
Do people who don’t know Jesus even like you?

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Message requires nuance so that we don’t create a Jesus who hangs out with sinners and isn’t interested in repentance.

Of course we should call each other to repent, to turn to Jesus.
But that message is best conveyed over a dinner table not with a megaphone from a distance.

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Serve someone you don’t think deserves it.
Sacrifice for someone you don’t think deserves it.

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There is a love and forgiveness that is extended before repentance.
There is sacrifice before repentance.
The overcoming of disgust is not the acceptance of sin. It is to lay the groundwork for repentance.

Jesus knew that disgust transforms no one.
Disgust just makes you feel better.
But love…love just might.

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Can’t help but notice that those saying “this man eats with sinners…” are themselves creating a boundary that keeps them from eating with Jesus.

What if Jesus is being hidden from you by your disgust/loathing?

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First Step
Realize that you too are a sinner.
And then humbly take your place at the table and learn from Jesus our friend, teacher, savior and king.