GLUTTON AND A DRUNKARD / MATTHEW 11:19

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 11:19

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

The Slander and the Sovereign: What We Learn from Jesus, the “Glutton and Drunkard”

Have you ever been completely misunderstood? Have you ever had your best intentions twisted by critics who had already decided they didn’t like you?

If so, you are in good company. In Matthew 11:19, Jesus addresses the religious elite of His day with a staggering piece of gossip they were spreading about Him:

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

It is a shocking verse. The religious leaders—the Pharisees and legalists—looked at the perfect, spotless Savior of the world and labeled Him a carnal, rebellious party animal. Why? Because Jesus didn’t play by their rigid legalistic rules, and He dared to pull up a chair next to the outcasts.

When we look closer at this passage, we find three powerful truths that change how we view Jesus—and how we live our own lives.

1. The Hypocrisy of “Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t”

Just before this verse, Jesus compares His generation to fickle children playing in the marketplace. He points out that John the Baptist came fasting and living strictly in the wilderness, and the critics claimed, “He has a demon”. Then Jesus came, celebrating feasts and enjoying meals with ordinary people, and they called Him a glutton and a drunkard.

The religious critics didn’t actually care about holiness; they cared about control. If you try to please the world, or even the religious legalists in your life, you will constantly chase a moving goalpost. Jesus reminds us that the world’s criticism is often empty, self-serving, and contradictory.

2. A Scandalous, Beautiful Reputation

While the names “glutton” and “drunkard” were malicious lies, the phrase that followed was entirely true: “a friend of tax collectors and sinners”.

What the Pharisees meant as a badge of shame, Jesus wore as a crown of glory. He didn’t sit at tables with sinners to join in on destructive behavior; He sat with them to bring healing, restoration, and life. He was missional, not carnal.

If the Savior of the universe was willing to risk His reputation to reach the broken, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to do the same? Or are we too busy protecting our “clean” image to step into the messy lives of people who need grace?

3. Wisdom is Proven by Fruit

Jesus closes His thought with a powerful principle: “But wisdom is proved right by her deeds” (or “by her children”).

You don’t need to spend your life defending yourself against every false accusation, rumor, or misunderstanding. Jesus didn’t file a lawsuit or argue endlessly with the Pharisees. He kept doing the work of the Kingdom. Over time, the fruit of His life spoke for itself: lives transformed, sins forgiven, the sick healed, and hope restored. Trust God with your reputation and let your faithful actions be your defense.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, who did not shrink back from the messiness of our world. Thank You that He was willing to be slandered, misunderstood, and falsely accused just so He could pull up a chair and be a friend to sinners like us.

Lord, forgive us for the times we have cared more about looking holy to others than actually loving the people who are hurting right in front of us. Give us the courage to step outside our comfort zones and go to the places where grace is needed most. When we face unfair criticism, give us the peace to trust You with our reputation, knowing that true wisdom is proven by its fruit.

We thank You that You are our Defender, our Savior, and our Friend.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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