The Jewish authorities had little value for the people who came to Jesus, repenting of their past sins. It may seem odd that religious folks wouldn’t welcome a repentant sinner, but Jesus’ ministry, as viewed from the Jewish authorities’ perspective, wasn’t a legitimate Jewish ministry. Jesus did many strange things that, not only contradicted the traditions of the Jewish authorities, but also made those traditions seem unrighteous. It was difficult for the leaders of the people to admit to unrighteous behavior. After all, they worked so hard at being considered righteous by the folks around them. Their worldview felt good. Therefore, it was good, and they frowned upon those who refused to be as they were.
The publicans and sinners drew near Jesus in order to hear him. Previously, folks drew near Jesus, because they were curious. They wanted to see a miracle, or witness the latest conflict between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. They may have even wondered, if he would finally decide to fight against Rome. However, the publicans and sinners in Luke 15:1 didn’t draw near Jesus, because they were curious over matters such as these. They drew near him, because they wanted to hear what he had to say.
These men were outcasts of Jewish society, but Jesus didn’t shun them, as they were used to being treated. Jesus had already drew a line in the sand, so to speak, between a relationship with him and one’s other close relationships, saying he must come first, if one wished to be his disciple (Luke 14:25-26). In fact, one needed to put Jesus before all things (Luke 14:33). Considering how they had been treated by everyone else, perhaps the publicans and sinners saw an opportunity to be received into a part of Jewish society that didn’t judge them so harshly. Perhaps, through Jesus, they genuinely saw a way back to God that didn’t destroy them. But, no matter what the specific reason, Jesus gave them hope, when there was no hope elsewhere.
It was these same types of people who responded to John the Baptist’s ministry, and Luke says they glorified God in doing so. Yet, these same Pharisees and rabbis who judged Jesus (Luke 15:2), rejected the council of God, as it was expressed in the ministry of John as well (Luke 7:24-30). As was in the case with John, the religious authorities were the ones who criticized Jesus (Luke 15:2), and they did so here, for the specific reason of his receiving publicans and sinners, implying that they refused to do so, as the leaders of Jewish society.
At this point (Luke 15:1-2) one can’t help thinking of the Parable of the Straight Gate (Luke 13:24-30). Certainly, it was the sinners and publicans of Luke 15:1 who responded to Jesus by desiring to hear more of what he has to say. These, who are the last, whom the righteous would expect to desire to know about God, are the first to draw near to him (cf. Luke 13:30). On the other hand, those who were considered righteous by ancient Jewish society, the scribes and Pharisees (Luke 15:2), didn’t believe what Jesus had to say. They draw near to him only for an opportunity to judge him or to otherwise express their rejection of him. These, whom one would expect to be among the first to respond to God, are last in line to do so (Luke 13:30). There appears to be a perceived way to draw near to God, and many in society sought and still seek to enter God’s Kingdom thereby (Luke 13:24, 26). Nevertheless, because they have confidence in the idea that what they already believe is good enough (cf. Luke 5:39), they won’t even consider another way, which in this case is considering Jesus as their Messiah—the Straight Gate and only way to draw near to God.
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