Jesus and the Tables: Love That Welcomes—and Love That Confronts

When we read the Gospels carefully, a powerful truth emerges: everything Jesus did was done in love. That includes His compassion toward the broken—and His confrontation of corruption.

We often picture Jesus Christ sitting calmly at tables with tax collectors and sinners, welcoming those who were lost, wounded, and searching for redemption. And rightly so—those moments reveal the tenderness of God’s heart toward anyone who knows they need grace.

But there is another scene we must not overlook.

The Tables Jesus Flipped

In the Temple, Jesus did something that shocks many people today: He fashioned a whip and overturned tables. This was not reckless anger or loss of control. Scripture tells us He acted with intention, purpose, and zeal for God’s house.

The area He cleansed was the Court of the Gentiles—the one place where non-Jews could come near to pray and seek the God of Israel. Instead of being a space for worship and invitation, it had been turned into a marketplace. Those entrusted with spiritual leadership were using sacred ground for personal gain, convenience, and control.

Jesus was not driving away seekers.He was removing obstacles.

Gentle With the Seeking, Firm With the Gatekeepers

Here is a pattern we see again and again in Jesus’ ministry:

• He is gentle with those who know they are lost.

• He is firm—even confrontational—with those who should know better but hinder others from coming to God.

Jesus ate at the tables of those seeking redemption.And He turned the tables of those blocking it.

This reveals something crucial about God’s love: love is not passive. Love protects what is sacred. Love confronts what harms others. Love refuses to let religion stand in the way of relationship.

A Question for the Church—and for Us

This passage isn’t just about something that happened in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. It confronts us today.

We must ask ourselves:

• Are we setting tables where people can encounter God?

• Or have our tables become about comfort, control, tradition, or personal benefit?

Programs, positions, preferences, and opinions are not evil—but when they block access to Jesus, they must be overturned.

Jesus will gladly sit with the broken at the table.But He will not tolerate tables that keep the broken away.

Make Sure Your Table Is Set Right

The call for the Church is simple but searching:

Make sure your table is there to be eaten at—to know God—not used for selfish gain.

Our lives, ministries, and churches should be places where:

• Grace is accessible

• Truth is clear

• Repentance is welcomed

• And Jesus is easy to find

If something in our hearts, habits, or structures is hindering others from encountering Him, His love may lovingly—but firmly—turn it over.

That too, is grace.

— Pastor Scott Acklin