The words of Jesus
What Did Jesus Say About the Outcast?
Jesus deliberately sought out the people others shut out, the tax collectors, the unclean, the shamed. His table was widest exactly where society's was closed.
“when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.”
Jesus, in Luke 14:13, King James Version
His welcome reaches those who can never repay it.
“bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”
Jesus, in Luke 14:21, King James Version
In His story, the overlooked are the honored guests.
“the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
Jesus, in Matthew 21:31, King James Version
The despised who trust Him enter ahead of the proud.
“him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Jesus, in John 6:37, King James Version
No one who comes to Him is ever turned away.
What Jesus is really saying
Jesus scandalized the respectable by eating with the wrong people, and He did it on purpose. He wanted everyone to see that no one is too far gone, too dirty, or too shameful for God. The outcast was not an exception to His love but the very shape of it.
Who these words reveal Him to be
He ate with the wrong people on purpose, and in doing so revealed the God who seeks the outsider. Only the Lord can say with authority, whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. Jesus is not slumming among the shamed; He is the Savior come to gather them home. His open table is the open heart of God, and it has a place for everyone the world shut out.
Come to Him
If you have ever felt like the one left outside, hear His promise: whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. There is a place at His table with your name on it.
His words were always meant to lead you to Himself. You can begin with Jesus here, ask someone to pray with you, or read His words in the Bible.