Why do eat and drink with such scum?

Way back in the day…when I was in high school if there was someone that was known for being disgusting, when gossip went around we would call them scum. The most disgusting, offensive kids were known as the scum of the earth.

Jesus loved the scum of the earth. In fact, Mathew, also known as Levi (if I remember correctly) and a disciple of Jesus, threw a party. He had been a tax collector. Many people despised tax collectors because they were well known for cheating others out of money. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were aware of the party so they asked Him why He hung around such low life. Jesus gave them a thought provoking answer.

Luke 5:

²⁹ Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?^[a]”

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. ³² I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”