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MARK: Jesus #Unfiltered Day 10
Once again teaching a crowd, Jesus now calls Levi to follow him. Whilst Jesus has already called others (like the fisherman brothers, Andrew and Simon), Levi is a surprising choice because he was a tax collector. Whilst people may not be fond of the tax office, tax collectors in Jesus’ day had the reputation of being dishonest collaborators with Rome. Tax collectors restricted people’s movement and often lined their own pockets by demanding more taxes than what was actually owed. Therefore, Jesus’ choice to call Levi would have been absolutely shocking to those watching on! But things get even more surprising as Jesus not only calls Levi to follow him but then proceeds to share a meal at his house with ‘sinners’. ‘Sinner’ is a broad term that was used to describe a range of people who were considered ‘unclean’ due to their profession or actions. For Jesus - a teacher and holy man - to share a meal with such people and possibly be considered unclean by association was an absolute controversy. Hence the reaction of the Pharisees in verse 16, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”, to which Jesus responds, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Once again the Pharisees recognise in part the significance of what is happening but fail to see the full significance of what this means.
We don’t hear how the Pharisees respond to Jesus’ retort, but we know that tension is mounting. Not only have the Pharisees failed to see that Jesus is the one who has come to redeem sinners, but that actually, none (not even them) can be considered truly righteous (cf. Romans 3:10). Whilst we all fall short of the glory of God, how great is the news that Jesus not only welcomers sinners to his table, but that we too can receive the forgiveness that he offers! AL
Questions
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you that Jesus came into the world for sinners, including me! Please help me to be humble enough to come before you, confessing my sin, that we may rejoice in the forgiveness that you offer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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By St Bart's ToowoombaOnce again teaching a crowd, Jesus now calls Levi to follow him. Whilst Jesus has already called others (like the fisherman brothers, Andrew and Simon), Levi is a surprising choice because he was a tax collector. Whilst people may not be fond of the tax office, tax collectors in Jesus’ day had the reputation of being dishonest collaborators with Rome. Tax collectors restricted people’s movement and often lined their own pockets by demanding more taxes than what was actually owed. Therefore, Jesus’ choice to call Levi would have been absolutely shocking to those watching on! But things get even more surprising as Jesus not only calls Levi to follow him but then proceeds to share a meal at his house with ‘sinners’. ‘Sinner’ is a broad term that was used to describe a range of people who were considered ‘unclean’ due to their profession or actions. For Jesus - a teacher and holy man - to share a meal with such people and possibly be considered unclean by association was an absolute controversy. Hence the reaction of the Pharisees in verse 16, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”, to which Jesus responds, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Once again the Pharisees recognise in part the significance of what is happening but fail to see the full significance of what this means.
We don’t hear how the Pharisees respond to Jesus’ retort, but we know that tension is mounting. Not only have the Pharisees failed to see that Jesus is the one who has come to redeem sinners, but that actually, none (not even them) can be considered truly righteous (cf. Romans 3:10). Whilst we all fall short of the glory of God, how great is the news that Jesus not only welcomers sinners to his table, but that we too can receive the forgiveness that he offers! AL
Questions
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you that Jesus came into the world for sinners, including me! Please help me to be humble enough to come before you, confessing my sin, that we may rejoice in the forgiveness that you offer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.