Now the tax collectors and sinners were all around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” -Luke 15:1-2
“Joel, something you should understand, we all need IRS agents, but no one wants to have drinks with an IRS agent except other agents.” I was 21 years old in a new city. My friend, Patrick, and his father, Tom, were also new to town. Tom was in the last post of a 30 year career with the IRS. He’d moved often as he worked his way up and was now Chief of the local branch.
Chief, but a bit lonely in our new hometown.
Patrick and I were also a bit lonely…..and a bit broke. Tom would buy us beer at the informal (not agency sponsored, approved or reimbursed) IRS happy hours. Most of the attendees, outside of Patrick and I, were other agents somewhere in their own 30 year journey. Odd mix of friends, but the price was right and we enjoyed some laughs and companionship. Two drinks in, this group of IRS employees would start telling IRS Agent jokes:
“What do you call twelve IRS Agents up to their necks in cement…not enough cement”.
A lighthearted laugh at themselves, and with us, before Patrick and I would split off for other engagements.
We think of “tax collectors” like our IRS agents. Civil servants doing an unpopular but necessary job. Some more jovial than others. Maybe not your first choice in social company but honest and respectable.
The tax collectors in Luke are quite different. Think of a mix of internet con artists, burglars, collaborators, and loan sharks and you’re getting close. Ostracized traitors, working with the Roman occupation to inform on their society’s economic system.
The Romans demanded a certain amount of taxes from each area. But, if the tax collector could collect more from the population and keep it for himself, that was fine with the Romans. If he could squeeze out a lot more and get very rich…. that was also fine with Rome. Just don’t squeeze so much that you start a revolt. Rome didn’t like revolts, that was one of the few ways a tax collector could lose.
If the collector said someone wasn’t paying their fair share (or maybe wasn’t paying enough of an unfair share) it could set off terrible consequences, with centurions acting as the enforcement branch. 10% penalty? Mandatory withholding next tax year? A public flogging or selling family members into slavery was more likely.
Earlier in Luke, we heard a story of Galileans being slaughtered while worshiping because they were paying “too much” to the church and not enough to Rome. One of the guests at Jesus’ table was probably complicit in this act. If not, he certainly would have known the coworkers who tipped off the Romans. He probably would have used this massacre as a fearful example of why everyone should pay up….to avoid any trouble.
I’m starting to see the Pharisees’ point….this guy is the lowest of the low. He doesn’t deserve to be here. Why’s he at “my” dinner?
Christ tells three parables culminating in The Prodigal Son, knowing that we all need to hear that all are invited to Christ’s table.
We are all the younger brother dishonoring the father. We are all the graceless older brother. We are both tax extortionist and Pharisee. We are, but Christ still invites us all to the table.
-Joel Staffilino