Scripture, unlike our attempts at active reflection today, shows Jesus going to Levi at Levi’s tax-collecting booth. Jesus actually went to Levi’s place of sin.
Then Jesus asks Levi to follow him. I do not recall a sinner’s prayer or even a Roman’s Road. Perhaps one of Jesus’ bonehead disciples had a huge wooden sign that read, “God hates tax collectors! The kingdom of God is near. Repent or die!”
But I do not recall that in scripture either. Anyway! Jesus calls Levi, and Levi follows very willingly. Oh! It doesn’t end there. Going to one tax collector’s little booth was not enough. Jesus goes to have some dinner with Levi and a bunch of other tax collectors. Jesus sat and hung out with them. I read that he sits with them; eating.
This was not the guys getting together for some food and cards either. Scripture tells us it was a large crowd of tax collectors. Jesus went to a huge tax collectors’ dinner conference to hang out with them.
Oh, and possibly the most accurate reflection of today’s Christian culture in this passage happens outside the “Hyatt Regency by the Sea” were Pharisee picketers with sings and megaphones. The signs complained, “Why DO YOU eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Now, let’s not overlook something here. The real thing worth noting is the Pharisees are the ones who first call the tax collectors “sinners”. They are never referred to as sinners until the Pharisees come on the scene. They were quick to place a branding on these people. Jesus goes into the margins of the marginalized and sits with them; the Christian elite sit outside branding tax collectors with titles.
…”noting is the Pharisees are the ones who first call the tax collectors “sinners””…
Wow what a good point! When a church is not lead by the spirit, human knowledge and timetable follows have the freedom to corrupt the purity of the gospel.
very true. Thanks for commenting
@” I do not recall a sinner’s prayer or even a Roman’s Road. Perhaps one of Jesus’ bonehead disciples had a huge wooden sign that read, “God hates tax collectors! The kingdom of God is near. Repent or die!””
………
haha i love it how you put this words
such as today’s ‘christian’ media tirade on same homosexuals, same sex marriage.
people have called them a lot of names already. some even says
“fire from heaven will burn them all”
perhaps, this world (not the people who live in it) is really hopeless? christians are busy trying to save the earth? mother nature they say?
most christians are exorcise about immorality, same sex marriage, homosexuality.
but almost none are radical when “the true gospel of grace) is not preached”
maybe because the descendants of the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are still around?
@”The real thing worth noting is the Pharisees are the ones who first call the tax collectors “sinners””
………………………….
you have a very good eyesight! this could be easily missed.
“a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; 21for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” 22But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.”
- Matthew 9:20
she was called “Daughter” by Jesus and this was recorded in Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48.
Come on! how many Laws she broke? and call her Daugther? that couldn’t be right?
- Grace and Truth
thanks for stopping by and commenting and for your compliments. I appreciate it very much
I love that a can read your time in study……I also love hearing about this Guy Jesus, he s not hippy or trendy vain love power,….If its self less life living he lived…, most people would join the group jumping off brigdes. There is a group still doing that right??. I mean I heard about them from mom my whole life.
You should meet this guy Jesus. I can introduce you