At the Sinner’s Table

Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew), A tax collector. Mark 2:13-17

¹³Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. ¹⁴As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) ¹⁶But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

¹⁷When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

(Emphasis added)

If you notice, Jesus didn’t care what the religious leaders of the time thought of him. He came sent by God to save and to show the true character and love of God. Not to impress the Pharisees.

Notice also that Jesus looks for a humble spirit. He didn’t come for the Pharisees who think they are high and mighty, but for the people who realize they do need a savior.

Will you welcome Jesus at your table?

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” –Revelation 3:20

“Seeing [his friends’] faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ ⁶But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ⁷‘What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!’ ⁸Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, ‘Why do you question this in your hearts? ⁹Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? ¹⁰So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.‘ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ¹¹‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!‘” –Mark 2:5-11

(Emphasis added)

Welcome Jesus to your table this Easter and thank him for the forgiveness that he came to sit with you for ❤ He wants to be with you!

Today’s worship song is “The God Who Stays,” by Matthew West

Happy Easter week! It’s coming so soon! Praise him who brought redemption to fallen creation.

-A

P.S. Tomorrow is Good Friday–remember that the cross is a symbol of the sacrifice Christ made to reconcile and redeem us to God so that we can return to him and be with him again as it was in the beginning!

Keep awaiting his return and the new heaven and earth!