February 19 – Mark 2:13-17

Devout Jews considered tax collectors unclean. Not only did tax collectors work for the oppressive Roman government, but they were typically dishonest, greedy men. It was common practice for tax collectors to ask for more money than necessary and pocket the overage because there was simply nothing people could do to stop them. So, they were viewed as traitors and thieves. Yet Jesus calls one of them, Levi (Matthew), to be one of His inner circle.
Think about this for a minute. Jesus passed over all the religious leaders of His day. There isn’t a single Pharisee, Sadducee, priest, or Levite among the twelve disciples. There’s not even a scribe. Jesus chose ordinary men—men that the rest of society overlooked. He even chose a man whose sin was obvious to everyone.
Jesus not only calls Matthew to be His disciple, but He also goes to have dinner at his house. Accepting Matthew’s hospitality and going under his roof was a sign that Jesus accepted Matthew. When the Pharisees see this, they are shocked, but Jesus tells them, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (v. 17).
Because the Pharisees saw themselves as “righteous,” they didn’t see their need for a Savior. Matthew saw his need. That’s why he gave up his dishonest vocation to follow Christ. Jesus could see that Matthew’s heart was ripe for a transformation that only He could give. Matthew would go on to help spread the good news of Jesus and to write one of the Gospels. Jesus chose wisely and lovingly.
Jesus offers the same invitation to you that He offered to Matthew—“Follow Me.” Spend time with Him today, recognizing your need for Him. If you have not committed your life to Christ or if you have been following only half-heartedly, pray about this and consider becoming His disciple or recommitting to wholeheartedly following Him. And as you interact with others this week, be careful not to judge their lives as the Pharisees did Matthew’s. You never know how ready their hearts are for forgiveness and change.
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