Jesus returns to the shores of the sea of Galilee where he is met by a multitude of people (2:13). He spends some time teaching them and then passes by a tax office where he sees Levi (also known as Matthew). Jesus asks Matthew to follow Him to which Matthew responds by obeying Jesus. The word follow indicates that Jesus is asking Matthew to become His disciple or accompany Him on His mission. This would be a huge change for Matthew since he was a tax collector. Also known as publicans, tax collectors were Jews who were responsible for making people pay taxes to the Roman government. They would often charge a little extra because the Roman officials permitted them to keep the additional money. These publicans were despised by the people and basically made their living by dishonest means. In essence, tax collectors were outcasts in society as well as in the religious community. So when Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, he abandoned his old life in order to embrace the new. In his actions, Matthew evidenced his conversion (faith and repentance).
After choosing to follow Christ, Matthew held a dinner in appreciation for Jesus and he invited many of his fellow publicans. Mark also records that Jesus and His disciples ate with sinners. These people would have been those who had little respect for Jewish traditions and therefore were considered filth by the Jews. So here is Jesus eating with the outcasts of society and enjoying fellowship with them, when the “scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners” (2:16). They cornered Jesus’ disciples and said, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” (2:16). Jesus overhears the scribes and Pharisees so He reacts by saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (2:17). The scribes and Pharisees thought they were above everyone else and depended on their good behavior to gain them favor with God. Ultimately, they refused to see themselves as sinners and therefore did not recognize their need for a savior, someone who could pay their sin debt. Instead of accepting Jesus as their Savior, they rejected His ways because His teachings were different than theirs. They were depending on their good works for a relationship with God, while Jesus taught a message of faith and repentance. At the heart of salvation is the fact that a person must see their sinfulness before God before they can accept His mercy. One who is sick realizes they will not get better until they see a doctor. Jesus used this to illustrate the way a person must approach Him in order to receive spiritual healing. Salvation from the bondage of sin is available to all those who are willing to admit their sin and turn in faith to Jesus’ payment for sin on the cross.
Dear God, I know I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. Please accept the payment of Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my payment for sin. Thank You for allowing Him to take my place and for giving me eternal life.
