Serving 69 million customers in 100 countries daily, McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant chain. Although the golden arches sign out front says billions served, MickeyD’s does not serve everyone. Come in shirtless you are rejected not served; no shoes rejected not served. If you come in without money for Ronald? You guested it rejected not served.

The Pharisees were a Jewish social movement and a school of thought based on legal traditions not ascribed to the Bible but to “the traditions of the fathers.” The standards of the Pharisees were the dominate the religious dogma at the time of Jesus.

That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were unworthy of any association with religious leaders.

That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were disqualified from worship and forgiveness from religious leaders.

That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were prohibited from eating with religious leaders.

Rejected not served.

Jesus does not subscribe to the Pharisees’ dogma.

Jesus a religious leader welcomes association with Tax Collectors and other sinners.

Jesus a religious leader worshiped with and forgave the sins of people like Tax Collectors.

Jesus a religious leader eats with sinners like Tax Collectors

Rejected not served is the dogma of the Pharisees.

Accepted, forgiven, loved, and served at the table

That is the dogma of hope.

That is the dogma of possibilities