JESUS’ ENCOUNTER WITH MATHEW, THE TAX COLLECTOR (MARK 2:13-17, MATTHEW 9:9-13, LUKE 5:27-32).

Answer Details

As Jesus went out beside the sea and taught the crowd, He passed by the tax office and saw Matthew (also called Levi, the son of Alphaeus) sitting at the place of toll. The encounter unfolded as follows:

• The call. Jesus said to him simply, "Follow Me."
• The immediate response. Matthew rose, left everything, and followed Jesus at once, abandoning his lucrative but despised profession.
• The feast in Matthew's house. Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus, and many tax collectors and sinners reclined at table with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him.
• The objection of the Pharisees and scribes. Seeing this, they questioned the disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
• Jesus' reply. Hearing them, Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Lessons from the encounter:

• Jesus welcomes and calls sinners, offering everyone the chance of repentance and new life.
• True discipleship demands prompt and total response, as Matthew left all to follow.
• Christians should not despise or shun those regarded as social outcasts.
• Jesus came as a spiritual physician to heal the morally and spiritually sick.