All Are Welcome
Posted on Jun 02, 2026 by Shari Van Baale
When you see “All are welcome” in our weekly announcements, have you ever thought about what that means? Jesus welcomed all, no matter their social status, income, or clothing. All believers are the same in the eyes of God.
In this week’s Gospel reading (Matthew 9:9-13,18-26), Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. As you may know, tax collectors in that day were known to be very dishonest. They worked for the Roman government and were considered traitors because they were Jews who extorted money from their own people. They often overcharged when collecting taxes and kept the extra money for themselves.
Jesus is eating with those considered low in that society. These are people who, if they entered the temple to worship, would most likely be whispered about, condemned, and perhaps even asked to leave. But Jesus didn’t care if others judged him by the company he kept. As he said in Matthew 9:12-13, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
This reminds me of a church we went to when we lived in Iowa. It was in the poor, downtown area of a city. It was surrounded by bars, liquor stores, and other run-down establishments. In that community, it offered a light of hope. There was a man who attended worship almost every week. He most likely did not have a home, wore dirty clothes, and had a certain odor that made it obvious he had not showered in a while. Yet that church accepted him as one of their own. No one judged him or spoke badly about him. They truly loved him just as Jesus loved the sinners he ate with.
All are welcome at God’s table.
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator