Calling sinners

Introduction

last week we began chapter 2. Jesus had returned to the village of Capernaum and was gathered in a house with some of his followers. Some men brought to the house a paralytic to the house and lowered him through the room to Jesus. Jesus says to the man “son your sins are forgiven” this an amazing statement. Only God could forgive sins and to talk this way was blaspheming! Unless He was in fact God when that authority. Jesus says “which is easier forgive this man’s sin or heal him” then he give himself a designated title vs 10 says Jesus wanted them to know the “son of man has authority to forgive sin” he healed the man immediately.

Son of man was a term used for a common man, but there were a few exceptions. Last week I quoted from the Prophet Daniel chapter 7 when the son of man is described as a transcendent being, I also quoted from one of the Apocrypha books 1 Enoch where the “son of man is mentioned” there was some confusion as what book I quoted from and why. Enoch is one of the books contained in a collection of ancient Jewish writings written between 200 bc and 100 Ad. We do not believe these books to be inspired such as the cannon of scripture. This has been debated for along time as to whether or not they are inspired or not. Most of the reformers considered them as historical writings of Godly men. The West Minster confession: were to be considered the historical writings of Godly read for the advancement and furtherance of the knowledge of history and for the instruction of godly manners: So they are considered books of history

the historical writings of Godly read for the advancement and furtherance of the knowledge of history and for the instruction of godly manners

That is why I quoted from it, to show the audience would have been familiar with the quote and the term son of man. They would need to decide for themselves who Jesus was. Was Jesus just a man or was he THE MAN. The GOD MAN. If you have any other questions or concerns about this come see me, I’d love to talk to you about it.

Jesus call sinners

Jesus goes out again beside the sea away from the most populated areas. There were crowds of people coming to him. Jesus continued to teach them about the Kingdom of God. As he is passing he comes across a tax booth. There were tax booths all around, along roads so you would pay tax to travel, tax booths in the market, tax booths near the temple, and here there is a tax booth near the water. Most likely this was a tax booth for fishing. Jesus sees a man named Levi the son of Alphaeus and Jesus says to him “follow me” and the text says he rose and followed him. Levi was also known as Matthew. This was very revolutionary, because Tax collectors were despised among the people.

Tax collector often collaborated with the Roman Government and the Jewish client-king Herod Antipas. Tax collectors were very dishonest often charging more than necessary, they often intimidated with force if needed to get what they wanted, and their connection with the gentiles.

As Jesus is passing by the road, Levi the tax collector would of been the last person anyone would have guessed Jesus would of Called to be one of his followers. We noticed immediately Levi leaves the booth and follows Jesus. Imagine what his other followers thought about this.

He then goes to a home for a meal with other Tax collectors and Sinners. The Jewish people had traditions just like in every culture, they would sit for ordinary meals and they would have a reclining meal for formal meals. The fact they were reclining here meant they were celebrating something.

The word “sinners” here is being used in a unusual way, the reference is not meaning only immoral or irreligious persons but because of the strict demands of the oral law they were able to keep it to the letter like the scribes and Pharisees. Another way to translate this would be “out casts”

Its hard for us to understand how scandalous it was for Jesus to associate with outcasts. This picture of Jesus sharing a formal meal, pointing to intimacy, acceptance and friendship. The Religious leaders could not understand how Jesus who was a religious person could dine in this way with these bad characters.

Mark is continuing in the theme of Jesus’s willingness and ability to forgive sin.

The Pharisees are mentioned here, the group was first formed during the period of Hasonean independence (142-63 BC) they devoted themselves to the keeping of the law, especially the oral interpretation of it. They were known for being called “Righteous ones” or the “Righteous” The name Pharisee probably meant “SEPARATISTS” because they were devoted to be separate from the common people, “sinners” as used in the present passage.

Some commentators do not believe the meal was attended by any Pharisees but the incident was reported to them about what Jesus had done. It says in vs 16 they saw, this could me know but most of the time it meant to stare so they may have observed from outside. The point was they were disgusted. They were angry and confused that a teacher of God’s law would associate with these common people. They asked in vs 16 “why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners”?

Jesus heard about this and he gives them an amazing response. vs 17 he said to them “Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”.

This is a huge rebuke to them. They couldn’t understand why he would be with the out casts of the religious society. The law commands in seperation of clean and unclean. The Pharisees saw themselves as clean and righteous and everyone else as unclean and common.

Jesus gives them a simple but powerful anallegy, Just how ridiculous it would be for a Doctor or a physician to always be away from people who are sick, so it would be for Jesus not to be around the people.

Notice what He says here, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”

He is smacking them in the mouth, I didn’t come for you!!! you who call yourselves “the righteous” I didn’t come for you because you do not think your sick. I came for the outcasts, those who are the common man. Those who know they need a spiritual doctor. Those who know they can’t follow the law and need a savior from their sin. They havn’t fooled themselves into thinking they can earn God’s favor by the law.

Application

Notice Jesus is aware of his surroundings. He pays attention to the people around him. He calls Levi, a despised person. Do you follow the pattern of Jesus and look for the Levi’s along your daily road?? Do you believe Jesus can save the Levi’s in your life? Do you follow the pattern of Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God as you go along?

Notice Jesus then associates and eats a meal of friendship with outcasts, the common, the ones who may have not looked like nor talked like Jesus? Do you do that? Do you talk with or share a meal with people who may be seeking the Lord but still have the stench on the world on them. I not saying going to a party where its all debauchery going on, thats not what Jesus was doing either. Levi left his tax booth, these other sinners left what they were doing and began to follow Jesus. I assure you they man still had some roughness around the edges though. I are willing to assist people take the grave clothes off?

Jesus was willing to be seen with these people. He could care less about what others thought about him. He was a physician going to the ones who are sick. The pharisees couldn’t see how sick they were. Don’t be a blind self righteous person. Jesus was clear here he didn’t come for you if thats the way you are towards other people. The bible is clear we are all sick, NO ONE IS GOOD, Roman 3:23 WE all fall short of His Glory. Do you care who you are seen with? Are you willing to be seen with repentant sinners? They might not look like you, they might not smell like you, they might not dress like you, but if Jesus is willing to do this and you’re His follower do you follow?

Do you love the lost? do you have a heart for sinners? Do you love for them to be saved? Jesus said those who have been forgiven much love much!!! Do you know how much your sin cost Jesus? Do you love much? I want you to experience this with the LORD, if you haven’t been teaching others what Jesus has taught you, if you haven’t been calling the Levi’s of the world to follow Jesus. Then start today. Don’t let another opportuituy to go by without telling sick people where they can find a Doctor. Giving them the saving message of the Gospel. Sins can be forgiven. Jesus took their sin upon the Cross and he died in your place. He took your guilt and shame and gives you His righteousness.