In ancient times, sharing a meal was never just about food—it was about identity, status, and belonging. In Part 2 of our series on biblical hospitality, we explore how Jesus flipped the expectations of His culture by eating with people who didn’t “belong.” Tax collectors, sinners, and scandalous women weren’t just included at His table—they were honored. Jesus didn’t require people to clean up before coming close. He simply said, “Let’s eat,” and in doing so, He opened the door to radical transformation.

Take Zacchaeus, for example—a greedy tax collector hiding in a tree, just hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Instead, Jesus stops, looks up, and invites Himself to dinner. That one meal changes everything. Zacchaeus stands up mid-meal and pledges to give half his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he’s cheated. No sermon. No lecture. Just presence. Just grace. This is what happens when love makes space at the table.

We also looked at the woman with the alabaster jar—the one who barges into a formal Pharisee dinner, weeping and pouring perfume on Jesus’ feet. It’s messy. Emotional. Uncomfortable. And yet Jesus doesn’t shy away. He welcomes her tears and tells the host, Simon, a story about forgiveness that reframes everything. That table becomes a place of healing and restoration. One seat. One act of vulnerability. One Savior who sees beyond the labels.

Jesus consistently crossed boundaries with His hospitality—not with grand gestures, but with simple meals. The religious elite were scandalized because Jesus refused to gatekeep grace. His table wasn’t a reward for good behavior—it was an invitation to transformation. And if we’re following Him, our tables should look the same. Not safe. Not selective. But open.

So here’s your ripple: Who could you invite to your table this week? Not for a strategy session or a sermon—just to be together. It might feel awkward. You might burn the food. But when we make space for those on the margins, we reflect the heart of Christ more clearly than any polished event ever could. Because in God’s Kingdom, a simple meal can echo into eternity.