Contagious holiness

Book Description

In the simple act of sharing a meal, Jesus revealed profound truths about divine grace and human transformation. Craig L. Blomberg explores how Christ turned ordinary dining experiences into extraordinary encounters with the sacred, demonstrating that holiness spreads through genuine relationship rather than religious isolation.

This scholarly yet accessible study examines one of the most historically reliable aspects of Jesus' ministry: his practice of eating with those considered outcasts and sinners. Rather than maintaining the religious boundaries of his time, Jesus chose radical inclusion at the dinner table, showing that God's grace extends to all people regardless of their spiritual or social standing.

Blomberg carefully investigates the cultural and religious context surrounding these meals, tracing dining practices from Old Testament traditions through the intertestamental period. He addresses recent scholarly debates about the nature of these gatherings, examining whether they resembled formal Greco-Roman symposia and clarifying who exactly constituted the "sinners" at Jesus' table.

Through detailed analysis of Gospel accounts, the author reveals how these shared meals became vehicles for redemption and transformation. Jesus demonstrated that holiness is not something to be guarded but something to be shared, spreading through authentic human connection and compassion.

The book concludes with practical applications for contemporary readers, showing how the principles of Jesus' table fellowship can transform our own relationships and spiritual communities. Blomberg offers insights for anyone seeking to understand how grace operates through ordinary human interactions.