Not the righteous but sinners

Luke 5:27-32

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Tax collectors were hated and ostracized by their fellow Jews. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government who were the occupying army. The taxes collected went to pay for the costs of the occupying army. And tax collectors were notorious cheats, charging more taxes than the Romans (the government) required, and the tax collectors kept the difference. So, they were double hated as traitors (working for the enemy) and be regarded as cheats.

Jesus invited Levi to become a follower/a disciple. To mark this turning point in his life Levi (also known as Matthew) threw a dinner party, to which he invited his friends. Not surprisingly Levi’s friends were tax collectors as well. So, Jesus was hanging out with the wrong crowd – tax collectors and sinners.  Jesus was criticized for this decision. A paraphrase of Jesus’ response could go like this: “People who are well don’t need a doctor – and I am doctor of souls – so if your soul is well then you don’t need me. But if you see yourself as in need of help – in need of forgiveness for the things you have done. If you need someone to hear your repentance of wrong-doing – then I am your person.”

The question we are left with is – who are the righteous who do not need a doctor? For who does not have something for which they need to repent? It is hard to admit we have done wrong. It is very uncomfortable to repent, but repentance is good for the soul for it is the path to healing. Repenting gets us invited to a banquet with Jesus, the unrepentant don’t get such an invitation because they don’t need what Jesus has to offer.

PRAYER:

God of mercy, you sent Jesus as the doctor of souls – we thank you that he offers forgiveness to the repentant and healing to the broken hearted. We rejoice that your mercy is offered to all who are in need of healing and forgiveness – even to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.