In Luke 5.27-32,
Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him and recounts the response of the Pharisees
when Jesus dines with “sinners”. Matthew
agrees to follow Jesus and then invites him to his house for a big party. So Jesus willingly goes to Matthew’s
house. Matthew was a tax collector and
was hated by the Jews; just think I.R.S. and you have Matthew Levi. In addition to Jesus, Matthew has invited
other of his friends including tax collectors (more I.R.S. guys), prostitutes,
drunks, addicts, swindlers etc. The
Bible calls them “other people”.
So try to picture Jesus Christ who is God in the flesh,
perfect sinless humanity “reclining at the table” with these people. For perspective, imagine Jesus today going to
an ex-con’s house and hanging out with bikers, more ex-cons, prostitutes,
drunks, drug addicts, low life’s, sleazy professionals, swindling C.E.O.s and
other forms of “odd man out” and you have the picture of Luke 5.29.
Now picture some guys who are well meaning, well versed in
the law, and live by a high moral standard.
They see Jesus in Matthew’s home along with his unsavory friends. And immediately, perhaps without even
realizing it, the Pharisees become pompous, legalistic, cold, calculating
bigots.
They condemn Jesus and his choice of friends. And Jesus in response tells them “it is not those who are well who need a physician,
but those who are sick. I have not come
to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5.31-32).
Matthew knew that he needed what Jesus had to offer. He was so excited about it that he invited
his friends to meet Jesus. The Pharisees
were confident in their knowledge of the law.
But knowledge of God’s law (the Bible) without action expressed in love
is useless and no good.
Think of the church today.
Are you and I a friend of the ex-con showing them Jesus, or are you and
I a friend of the Pharisee who means well, but misses the point?
