Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

The Pharisees should have understood the meaning of sharing a meal together but their teachings failed them due to critical judgement.

Luke 22:19-20 English Standard Version

19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

The sharing of food and drink is a sign that a covenant has been made. The Pharisees just did not get it.

Exodus 24:7-8 English Standard Version

7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Perhaps they only concerned themself about getting what was rightly theirs.

As described in Leviticus 3, a Peace Offering could consist of male or female cattle, sheep, goats, or bread. In some cases, the breast or thigh would be offered to the high priest and the rest was to be eaten by the assembled parties. The rest of the portions were burned after two days as an offering to God— symbolizing a shared meal. Source: Alabasterco.com

When we only concern ourselves with getting everything we think we deserve, we ignore the covenant promises and fail to honor God who made these covenants to begin with. The sharing of the meal is supposed to be a symbol of our faith in the One who has blessed us and saved us.

John 17:17-22 English Standard Version

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

A blessing to us through the Word because we believe in Him who made the New Covenant.

Exodus 33:12-17 English Standard Version

12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”

We are supposed to be unique. We are different because we have God’s favor.

The life we live should show outwardly that God is with us.

John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Living this life of faith is one where the truth leads the way and there is no lie in us.

The worst thing we can do is to lie to an unbeliever.

Matthew 10:22a and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 

Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

We are not here to win friends, we are here to show grace because grace has been imparted to us by God’s good favor. Every good thing that has been granted us by our loving God is meant to be a witness of His abiding presence.

Acts 10:28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.”

Matthew 9:10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”