# 31: Jesus Didn't Go To The Brothel

Much is made of the acceptance and welcome Jesus offered to tax collectors and sinners, prostitutes and the like. The 100 revs would like to draw a direct link between this and their proudly marching at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

But we don't have to ask what would Jesus do? We can ask what did Jesus do?

Jesus never visited a brothel. Jesus never joined in an orgy. Jesus never went to a Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It is obscene to suggest that Jesus would have gone.

Let's have a look at the verses that are trotted out to invoke "Jesus' compassion" as a motive for attending the Mardi Gras and promoting homosexuality and promiscuity.

Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Matthew 9:10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.

• Notice that in Matthew 11 Jesus is quoting his critics. This is what they say about him.

• In the previous verse, Jesus also quotes the critics of John the Baptist who found him as too ascetic, they said he had a demon.

• In this contrast Jesus is making the point that neither is actually true, but is only the false perception of his critics.

• It is sadly ironic that today the ones who hold this false perception of the libertine Jesus are actually claiming to be his followers.

• In the second verse we see Jesus was in Matthew's house after he obeyed Jesus call to discipleship. Further, the tax collectors and sinners came to him, while he was at Matthew's house. he welcomed them, but he did not go to their orgy.

Jesus was not just a friend of tax collectors and prostitutes, he called tax collectors and prostitutes to repentance.

But lest we be accused of drawing distinctions where none exist. The fact that Jesus was quoting his critics and that the tax collectors came to him is may be regarded by the liberals as fine points that feel unconvincing. It's called considering the context, but it happens so rarely these days. Let's take a survey, then, to get a more objective understanding of what happened when Jesus met sinners.

Levi the Tax Collector	Repented - gave back his money
The woman in Adultery	Jesus called her to repent "leave your life of sin"
Matthew in his Booth	Jesus called him to "follow me" and he did
The woman at the well	Jesus confronted her about her promiscuity"

If you are still not convinced. As your self what was the theme of Jesus' message? What did Jesus talk about most of all? If your answer is not repentance, go back and read your Bible again.

Back to Matthew 11:19-20 to finish of the quotation:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.