Luke 5b: HG Bishop Youssef

Jesus calls a Tax Collector

00:00

²⁷ After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” ²⁸ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

• Levi traditionally is identified as St Matthew
  • Matthew means "Gift of God"
    • Matthew was a gift to God to the Christian faith
    • He wrote his gospel to the Jews and what helped him write it was:
      • his scholarly knowledge of the Old Testament
      • his intimate understanding of the Pharisees and Sadducees
      • his ability to penetrate the falsehood of the religious hierarchy of that era
  • He was a tax-collector, who were known for their greed, violence and wickedness
• Jesus called him to be one of His followers and even one of the Twelve (inner circle). This reveals the purpose of the ministry of the Lord Jesus who came to redeem all men "I did not come to call righteous, but sinners to repentance"
  • The Lord did not choose based on outward appearance - or He would have chosen the Pharisees, Scribes and Religious Leaders
  • God is looking at the heart
    • Many people are sinners from the outside, but they are waiting for a touch of grace that will convert their life completely.
    • Matthew was a sinner but once the grace of God touched him, he converted completely.
• When God called Peter, James, Andrew, John they immediately left everything and followed Him. In the same way, Levi (Matthew) left all and followed Him.
  • This was not an easy decision - it needs determination, self-denial, full trust and confidence and God

²⁹ Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. ³⁰ And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

• St Matthew's Sincerity
  • The integrity and sincerity of St Matthew is evidenced by the great feast in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ
  • Maybe his friends, the tax collectors and sinners, were moved by the kindness and friendship of this New Teacher - they heard about Him and how He called a tax collector (who was looked down upon and shunned by the religious leaders of Israel) to be one of His followers. They assembled in the house of St Matthew to see this kind, friendly, compassionate New Teacher
  • Maybe Matthew, being touched by the Lord's compassion and kindness, made a great effort to gather as many as he could to his house to introduce them to the new Master so that maybe their life would be changed too
  • This is one of the best ways in Christian service... if you are really touched by the Love of God, talk to others about God. Invite them to be in His presence. Invite them to taste and see how sweet it is to be with the Lord.
  • He demonstrated publicly his new way of life... I am not a greedy tax collector anymore, but I am a disciple of Christ
• There is always someone negative to attack the works done for the glory of God
  • The Pharisees and Scribes were offended that Jesus, who pretended to be a good Teacher, a Prophet, lowered Himself to go and have company with such men: sinners, publicans, tax-collectors
  • For them, the tax-collectors were considered dishonest men who abused their authority
  • The same happened when the Lord said to Zacchaeus "I will go and stay in your house"
• They disrespectfully said to the disciples: "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
  • Although they directed their words to the disciples, not the Lord, their intention is clearly directed at the Lord Himself
  • The Lord takes up the case and vindicates His disciples and Himself
• Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick
  • This is one of the sayings of the Lord which sank very deep in the hearts of the hearers
  • Those who believe they are in good health, stand as if they don't need assistance of any physician
  • Scribes and Pharisees, in their own opinion, believe they are free from the disease of sin... you are righteous and blameless according to the Law of Moses... so you don't feel that you need Me. I am the Physician who came to cure the maladies of the souls and bodies of men
  • Nowadays many people believe they do not need God and deny the existence of God or say "I don't know whether He exists or doesn't exist" (agnostic) as if this knowledge is unimportant to them... or they don't need the Church. They believe they are righteous. They are like the scribes and Pharisees - judging everybody and making themselves to be righteous.
  • Those who are sick with sin and desire healing, He is there for them. He came to cure and save them. 
  • That's why He conversed with the sinners...
  • That's why on the Cross, when He heard the thief praying and talking to Him, He assured him of his salvation
  • His ministry as Physician was among the sinners not among the righteous
• The Lord did not dispute here that their form of righteousness is false... because even if He told them that, they would not heed Him.
  • People who are prideful don't listen to any advice or correction... they are wise in their own eyes.
  • This righteousness is dangerous righteousness because it produces a man who is very proud and fails to see their need for God
  • Those who considered themselves sinners were healed... but those who didn't, did not go for healing because of their pride and arrogance.
• In the definition of a difficult personality, it's not the people who have problems but those who don't realize or acknowledge that they have a problem
  • Addicts versus an addict who is in denial
• He came for both the elder son and the prodigal son, but unfortunately the elder son did not benefit from Him
• Matthew 9:13 in this story, St Matthew includes one more detail
  • But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ 
  • Hosea 6:6