MATTHEW 9:9-13 JESUS CALLS MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR
VERSES 9 - AS JESUS WENT ON FROM THERE, HE SAW A MAN CALLED MATTHEW, SITTING IN THE TAX COLLECTOR’S BOOTH; AND HE SAID TO HIM, “FOLLOW ME!” AND HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM.
MATTHEW WAS A TAX COLLECTOR WHO SERVED THE INTERESTS OF ROMAN EMPIRE, ISRAEL’S OVERLORD. HE AND HIS FELLOW OFFICIALS WERE HATED INTENSELY BY THE JEWS BECAUSE OF THEIR CROOKEDNESS & OPPRESSIVE TAXES. Jesus went from His City Jesus saying Matthew to follow Him
VERSES 10 - THEN IT HAPPENED THAT AS JESUS WAS RECLINING AT THE TABLE IN THE HOUSE, BEHOLD, MANY TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS CAME AND WERE DINING WITH JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES.
THE MEAL DESCRIBED HERE WAS ARRANGED BY MATTHEW (LEVI) IN HONOUR OF JESUS (LUKE 5:29).
VERSES 11 - WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW THIS, THEY SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “WHY IS YOUR TEACHER EATING WITH THE TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS?”
BACK IN THOSE DAYS, PEOPLE WOULD OFTEN EAT ON COUCHES, FACING THE TABLE. WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW JESUS EATING WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT, ACCUSED HIM OF BEING GUILTY OF "GUILT BY ASSOCIATION." SURELY A TRUE PROPHET WOULDN'T ASSOCIATE WITH SINNERS!
VERSES 12 - BUT WHEN JESUS HEARD THIS, HE SAID, “IT IS NOT THOSE WHO ARE HEALTHY WHO NEED A PHYSICIAN, BUT THOSE WHO ARE SICK.
JESUS OVERHEARD AND ANSWERED, “THOSE WHO ARE WELL HAVE NO NEED OF A PHYSICIAN, BUT THOSE WHO ARE SICK.”
VERSES 13 - BUT GO AND LEARN WHAT THIS MEANS: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ FOR I DID NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS.”
1 SAMUEL 15:22 - BEHOLD, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, AND TO HEED THAN THE FAT OF RAMS.
THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. PHILEMON 1:25