Jesus Calls Sinners

(CSB)

16 As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

(CSB)

13 Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

15 While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him. 16 When the scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

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AYBD observes that the Markian call stories are elaborated in the other gospels. Thus, there is some clear evidence that Mark did not supply the whole story. Further discourse (John) may have applied and possibly miracles (Matthew). Further, the called ones may have already been familiar with Jesus’s teaching, miracles, and presence before being called. AYBD agrees, however, that the call required immediate response.

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Reading Mark: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel Controversies (2:1–3:6)

Those who consider themselves as among the ones Jesus came to call have to be willing to put themselves in the category of “sinners,” because if they see themselves as “righteous,” they are not included.

To be caught in the nets of the gods was a symbol of salvation.

“I will make you fishers of men...” This is something Jesus will train them to do. This is an invitation for Jewish men to be trained by a Jewish Rabbi, an event that was not all too common, but also not entirely peculiarly, and at the same time honorable. Jesus is offering them the opportunity to become Rabbis themselves who are able to gather their own disciples and that was an offer they did not refuse.

INTRO

Reading Mark: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel Controversies (2:1–3:6)

Those who consider themselves as among the ones Jesus came to call have to be willing to put themselves in the category of “sinners,” because if they see themselves as “righteous,” they are not included.

train the people to do things the way they want for their business

Cf. Teaching Mike bass

EPIPHANY! This is God’s economy. He isn’t calling people who think they’ve figured it all out. He’s calling people who understand they are broken and spiritually bankrupt. That’s why we see in the scriptures that…

INTRO

D32Worldview: “To be caught in the nets of the gods was a symbol of salvation” (RNTS). Gods and evil spirits were believed to fish for disciples or followers. What’s interesting here is that God does not choose to appoint angels or other divine beings to the task of disciple-making; rather, He calls humans to be disciple-makers.

“I will make you fishers of men...” This is something Jesus will train them to do. This is an invitation for Jewish men to be trained by a Jewish Rabbi, an event that was not all too common, but also not entirely peculiarly, and at the same time honorable. Jesus is offering them the opportunity to become Rabbis themselves who are able to gather their own disciples and that was an offer they did not refuse.

Nature of call

The process

The Draw of the Spirit

The proclamation of the Word

NOTE: RNTS, contrast between how God calls disciples and how the rabbis and philosophers of the day accrued them.

AYBD observes that the Markian call stories are elaborated in the other gospels. Thus, there is some clear evidence that Mark did not supply the whole story. Further discourse (John) may have applied and possibly miracles (Matthew). Further, the called ones may have already been familiar with Jesus’s teaching, miracles, and presence before being called. AYBD agrees, however, that the call required immediate response.

The urgency of the answer

The actual call (follow) (What did follow imply?) — Called to what? (Fishers of men)

The urgency

Are we called to leave everything? Job, family, etc.?

We are called to give everything.

Life Application Bible Commentary, Mark Four Fishermen Follow Jesus / 1:16–20 / 33

LEAVE IT AND FOLLOW

What can we learn from the disciples’ response to Jesus’ call?

• What does Christ expect you to leave behind to follow him?

• What sacrifice of personal achievement, wealth, or position does Christ ask you to make?

• What prevents you from following Jesus immediately and wholeheartedly?

• What must you do to eliminate these hindrances from your life?

Who is called

Sinners

Reading Mark: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel Controversies (2:1–3:6)

Those who consider themselves as among the ones Jesus came to call have to be willing to put themselves in the category of “sinners,” because if they see themselves as “righteous,” they are not included.

Not the righteous

FAILED CALLS: , also, the rich young ruler

RICH YOUNG RULER: Called and denied. (cf. green in RNTS)

Life Application Bible Commentary, Mark Jesus Eats with Sinners at Matthew’s House / 2:13–17 / 40

GOOD ENOUGH?

The Pharisees wrapped their sin in respectability. They made themselves appear good by publicly doing good works and pointing at the sins of others. Jesus chose to spend time, not with these proud, self-righteous religious leaders, but with people who sensed their own sin and knew that they were not good enough for God. In order to come to God, we must repent; in order to renounce our sin, we must recognize it for what it is.

CONCLUSION—The Call to Discipleship

Jesus called sinners

Why were the disciples? (Highlight the sinfulness of the disciples.)

Who were the disciples? (Highlight the sinfulness of the disciples.)

Mark 1:16–20 CSB

As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Why were the disciples? (Highlight the sinfulness of the disciples.)

Commoners

Simon (Peter) and Andrew fished from the shore (small business).

Andrew

James and John were part of an established business with their own boats and hired men.

John

Both pairs were called to give up all they had to follow Jesus even though the latter had more than the former.

Humble profession

Working Class

Hard work

Working Class

Service profession

Mark 2:13–14 CSB

Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

Levi (Hebrew name of Matthew)

Traitor: Jew who worked for the “enemy” (Romans)

Extortionist

Breaks Torah as a profession

Torah protects people against oppression and injustice

Tax collectors were agents of oppression and injustice

What was the issue with the righteous (EPIPHANY!) Pharisees and scribes? Were they sinners too?

Who are the righteous?

Not commoners as in Simon, Andrew, James and John.

Not unrighteous like Levi

Mark 2:15–16 CSB

While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him. When the scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

The scribes (scholars of the law)

The Pharisees (self-proclaimed religious elitists)

The S & P could not understand sharing a table with tax collectors and sinners

Intimacy (purity issues)

Association (A rabbi cannot be said to be as a sinner)

[Jesus’s response…]

Mark 2:17 CSB

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus does not mean that the S & P do not need a savior.

They just aren’t ready for a savior.

You have to acknowledge your sin before you can even fathom your need to be saved from God’s wrath for sin.

He means that, until your self-perception is that of a sinner, you will not hear His call.

An understanding of your own depraved nature always precedes your calling to become a follower of Jesus.

Common people understood that they were moral failures, at least compared to the S & P

Tax collectors certainly knew how wretched they must be, not just in the sight of their people, but before God

When you understand your need to be saved from sin, then you are ready to hear…

Here’s what happens: [ILL: Rich Young Ruler]

Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow.

Self-righteousness is the hardest net to leave behind.

When you understand your need for a savior because of you believe yourself to be a sinner, then you are ready to hear…

Here’s what happens: [ILL: Rich Young Ruler]

Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow.

Self-righteousness is the hardest net to leave behind.

What does it mean to call? or that Jesus calls?

“FOLLOW ME” — they followed

Not how Rabbis got followers. (elevates the Rabbi)

It is how Greek Philosophers got followers. (elevates the calling)

Diogenes Laertius

Xenophon, the son of Gryllus, was a citizen of Athens…he was a man of rare modesty and extremely handsome. The story goes that Socrates met him in a narrow passage, and that he stretched out his stick to bar the way, while he inquired where every kind of food was sold. Upon receiving a reply, he put another question, “And where do men become good and honourable?” Xenophon was fairly puzzled; “Then follow me,” said Socrates, “and learn.” From that time onward he was a pupil of Socrates.

Xenophon, the son of Gryllus, was a citizen of Athens and belonged to the deme Erchia; he was a man of rare modesty and extremely handsome. The story goes that Socrates met him in a narrow passage, and that he stretched out his stick to bar the way, while he inquired where every kind of food was sold. Upon receiving a reply, he put another question, “And where do men become good and honourable?” Xenophon was fairly puzzled; “Then follow me (ἕπου τοίνυν),” said Socrates, “and learn (καὶ μάνθανε).” From that time onward he was a pupil (ἀκροατής) of Socrates. (Vit. Phil. 2.48)

Mark: A Commentary on the Gospel of Mark Comment

Xenophon, the son of Gryllus, was a citizen of Athens and belonged to the deme Erchia; he was a man of rare modesty and extremely handsome. The story goes that Socrates met him in a narrow passage, and that he stretched out his stick to bar the way, while he inquired where every kind of food was sold. Upon receiving a reply, he put another question, “And where do men become good and honourable?” Xenophon was fairly puzzled; “Then follow me (ἕπου τοίνυν),” said Socrates, “and learn (καὶ μάνθανε).” From that time onward he was a pupil (ἀκροατής) of Socrates. (Vit. Phil. 2.48)9

. Vitae Philosophorum

Socrates called Xenophon because he was found to be lacking. That was something he could work with. He couldn’t work with a self-righteous know it all.

9 Text and trans. from Hicks, Diogenes Laertius, 1:176–79. This passage is similar to * in the motif according to which the leading figure calls or invites the other to follow him. Other passages manifest a turning from one form of life to another, a conversion to philosophy; for references and discussion, see Hengel, Charismatic Leader, 27–30. See also Arthur Darby Nock, Conversion: The Old and the New in Religion from Alexander the Great to Augustine of Hippo (Oxford: Clarendon, 1933; reprinted Oxford/ New York: Oxford University Press, 1961) 164–86; Hubert Cancik, “Lucian on Conversion: Remarks on Lucian’s Dialogue Nigrinos,” in Adela Yarbro Collins, ed., Ancient and Modern Perspectives on the Bible and Culture: Essays in Honor of Hans Dieter Betz (SPHS; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998) 26–48.

Adela Yarbro Collins and Harold W. Attridge, Mark: A Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Hermeneia—a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007), 158.

Jesus wasn’t worried about elevating himself like the Rabbis of His day. Jesus called men who were humble enough to admit who they were so that He could train them as followers.

Here’s what happens if you call the self-righteous (consider this illustration a warning): [ILL: Rich Young Ruler]

Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow.

Self-righteousness is the hardest net to leave behind.

So, the first step

By the Word (to repentance?)

Who listens to the Word preached?

[ADD NATURE OF CALLING? — drawn by the Spirit working through the proclamation of the Gospel]

Call to what? Some may say we are called to…

Salvation (rescue from the wrath of God due for sins)…yes, but not exactly

Discipleship (learning to live by the teacher)…yes, but not exactly

Discipleship for the purpose of Disciple-making…precisely

Mark 1:17 CSB

“Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

Fishing for information

Phishing scam

[D32Worldview] “To be caught in the nets of the gods was a symbol of salvation” (RNTS).

Gods and evil spirits were believed to fish for people to be disciples or followers.

What’s interesting here is that God does not choose to appoint angels or other divine beings to the task of disciple-making; rather, He calls humans to be disciple-makers. We are God’s workers.

“I will make you fishers of men...” This is something Jesus will train them to do. This is an invitation for Jewish men to be trained by a Jewish Rabbi, an event that was not all too common, but also not entirely peculiarly, and at the same time honorable. Jesus is offering them the opportunity to become Rabbis themselves who are able to gather their own disciples and that was an offer they did not refuse.

Also Notice: “I will make you fishers of men...”

This is something Jesus will train them to do.

Not something they needed as a prerequisite.

Jesus’s call is not merely a call to salvation, but a…

…which means a call to be trained as a disciple.

Jesus trained disciples in...

Large Groups (70 or so disciples)

Small Groups (the 12)

Inner-Circle (Peter, James, and John)

One-on-one (Peter) — you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church

* The smaller the group, the more substance there is to the training.

The church trains disciples in…

Large Groups (Sunday Mornings)

“Let me say goodbye to my family...”

[This is why you should attend every week. Listen online if you’re absent.]

Small Groups (Meetings in Homes—coming next week)

*Small Groups

Focused on personal discipleship needs.

And focused on disciple making.

The call to personal discipleship

One-on-one discipleship.

The call to personal disciple making

trust and relationship

personal holiness

Oikos

Household -> Inner circle, 8-15

Begin praying about one or two people in your 8-15 that you want to reach to be a disciple of Jesus.

Call

If you have heard about Jesus today…

Jesus Calls Sinners

Intro

The first disciples were sinners

FCF: The first disciples were sinners

Jesus’s Call

Call to Discipleship