Chapter 2 (NIV)
15While 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. 16When 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'?"
17On 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."
1 comment:
Firstly, it's very interesting to note how Levi responded after being approached by Jesus. I'm not sure what the timelines are but Levi opening up his mind and heart to Jesus led him to also open up many other aspects of his life (in this case, Levi opened up his home and food) to supporting Jesus and the Good News.
Secondly, I'm not sure about the role that meal-sharing played in Jesus' time but to Jesus it seems to have represented more than just a teaching opportunity (like in verse 13). Like a caring doctor who makes house calls to those who are too sick to seek him out, Jesus is reaching out to the spiritually infirm. What a lucid analogy! How do we apply this to our lives today as Christians? Who are the people making up the "crowd" that want to be taught (verse 13)? Who are the people making up the "sick" that want to be healed (verse 17)? In either case, Jesus is showing us the importance of proactively reaching out to others to spread the knowledge (teaching) and understanding (healing) of God's Word.
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