13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (that would be all of us) – Hallelujah for that! Those who humbly and willingly acknowledge their need for a Savior receive our Lord’s gracious hand of forgiveness and mercy. Prior to saving faith in Jesus, we all fall into the category of a needy “sinner” - unfortunately those “righteous” in their own eyes often remain unaware of their need. Those full of themselves- full of their religiosity - full of their “things” - full of all their “whatever’s” – appear to have no room in the inn for a Savior. Such was the case of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law in our verses for today.
Paul reminds us of the very good news that Jesus came to save sinners stating it is trustworthy and deserving of our full acceptance. We find in 1Timothy:
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 1 Tim 1:15 (NIV)
Once again, in our verses for today, we discover a large crowd assembled around the Master. Ever on mission, Jesus begins to teach them. Walking along beside the lake our Lord spies Levi - a/k/a Matthew – a spurned tax collector. Jesus calls out the now familiar “Follow me” and immediately Levi is on board – obedience without hesitation. I wonder if our obedience occurs without hesitation. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Interestingly, in physical cures we find Jesus being sought after yet in spiritual cures He found those who did not seek Him. I am reminded of the words of the Prophet Isaiah:
1 “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'” Isaiah 65:1 (NIV)
Matthew was a Jewish tax official employed by Herod Antipas the ruler of Galilee at that time. Often the officials in these services were replete with fraud and scandal, bribery and extortion and therefore they were despised by the Jews. Jesus sought out the lowly and the despised and willingly offered His hand of mercy. Sin and scandal prior to conversion is no bar to mercy and grace in our Lord’s eyes.
Levi graciously invites our Lord and His disciples to a feast at his home and includes also some of his “sinner” comrades whose curiosity in the Lord Jesus had now peaked. The time of opportunity was perhaps ripe for them as well. When we have good news we want to share it with others and we see here Levi practicing hospitality by freely opening his home. This did not go over well with the religious leaders of the day. You can hear the Pharisees words dripping with disdain as they approach our Lord’s disciples with their query: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
In every age we have men and women who use their religion for their own purposes. The Pharisees were the elite, the highly admired, the rule makers and they relished in their positions. They mixed a feigned faith with power and pride and it was a bitter and toxic combination. Their hearts were as hard as stone – their condition dead – and they were too full of themselves to discern it. This was why Jesus was so full of “Woe’s” to them calling them “hypocrites”, “blind guides”, “white-washed tombs” and the like. Matthew records our Lord’s Word to this group:
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” Matt 23:13 (NIV)
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'” Matt 23:16 (NIV)
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.” Matt 23:27 (NIV)
Before we get too fat and sassy and come down hard on these religious elite we should begin by examining our own hearts – an extremely good place to start and finish! Do we look down on others thinking we are better? Do we relish man’s praise over God’s? Do we stay herded in our holy huddles holding our religious club meetings sit, soaking and souring? Do we follow tradition or follow Jesus? And on and on the piercing questions could go. We are to pay careful attention to our own hearts – constantly examining them – lest our Lord is full of “Woe’s” for us as well. Remember the lukewarm Church of Laodicea Jesus chastised in Revelation and His command to them:
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Rev 3:17 (NIV)
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev 3:19-20 (NIV)