The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Matthew 11:19 KJV
Labeling someone means we think of that person as having a particular character or nature.
Labeling a Christian can be a form of judging that person’s faithfulness to Christ.
In this passage, we see that the Jews of Jesus’ day had their own ways of labeling.
They were labeling the Lord using such terms as, “eating and drinking” with “publicans and sinners.”
Calling Him a “winebibber.”
But they were wrong.
Christ saw it for what it was and knew what He was dealing with.
He saw their behavior as one of a child, who without reason was having a temper tantrum.
They were trying to get others to join in so they could get their way.
Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were bitter and hardened.
He knew it was all because of His miracles and doctrines they had witnessed.
The Lord had His motives and a mission to accomplish.
He was not going to let the labels they were putting on Him stop Him from accomplishing it.
He was exercising His almighty power.
Punishing none more than they deserved,
And never withholding the knowledge or the truth from those who longed for it.
He knew there were still some who desired to follow His lead.
We all know that everyone has a right to their opinion, but no one has a right to be wrong about the facts.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Lord, forgive us when we sit in judgment of each other. We don’t know what their relationship is with You. Help us to have a spirit that is full of love. One that is not quick to label anyone. We may not know all the facts about their situation.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen