Beyond Comprehension
Mark 2:15-17 Later that day, Jesus and his followers ate at Levi’s house. There were also many tax collectors and others with bad reputations eating with them … When some teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with such bad people, they asked his followers, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “It is the sick people who need a doctor, not those who are healthy. I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners.”
How would you react if someone rich or powerful – royalty, a famous pop star, a celebrity, somebody who is somebody – came to your place for dinner? Come on, how would you react?
I recently heard a British media personality tell the story of the time that Prince Charles (well before he became king) invited himself over for afternoon tea. It was really quite funny as this man described the mad panic in the household to make sure everything was perfect, whilst still appearing cool, calm and collected as he opened the front door. It’s quite an honour, right?!
Yesterday we met Levi, the tax collector – despised by his countrymen, yet outrageously called by this famous rabbi, Jesus. Well, it gets even more outrageous, because …
Mark 2:15-17 Later that day, Jesus and his followers ate at Levi’s house. There were also many tax collectors and others with bad reputations eating with them … When some teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with such bad people, they asked his followers, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “It is the sick people who need a doctor, not those who are healthy. I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners.”
Yes, Jesus hung out with outcasts, prostitutes and drunkards. But He didn’t come to indulge them, to endorse their sin. Because by the time He was finished, they weren’t outcasts, prostitutes or drunkards anymore.
The Presence of Christ at a table can transform a life in an instant. Your life.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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