In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ

1. In The Footsteps Of The Master:The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Jesus Calls Matthew March 29, 2009 www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

2. Matthew’s Narrative • Matthew 9:9-13 • “9As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said* to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 10Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 12But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

3. Mark’s Narrative • Mark 2:13-17 • “13And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. 14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said* to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 15And it happened* that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” 17And hearing this, Jesus said* to them, “itis not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

4. Luke’s Narrative • Luke 5:27-32 • “27After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.”28And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. 29And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

5. A Common Pattern • Numerous Gospel accounts follow a similar pattern: • Jesus performs a revolutionary action • Eating with tax collectors and “sinners” • The scribes and Pharisees condemn Him • “Why do you eat with such people?” • Jesus makes a pronouncement, from a basis both acknowledge, which silences them • “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

6. Roman Taxation • As a part of the Roman Empire, Judea was obligated to pay tribute to Rome • Such tribute was raised via three forms of taxation: • Land tax (tributum soli), a tax on the produce of the land • Head tax (tributumcapitas), a tax on individuals • Customs on goods, collected at ports and near city gates www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

7. Roman Taxation (cont.) • Roman elite avoided these potentially lucrative opportunities due to the social stigma • Those in such positions were viewed as persons of low status • As a result, the job fell to “commoners” • Term “tax collector” was used in conjunction with “prostitutes”, “sinners”, “robbers”, etc. • Generally fell into two categories: • Tax “Farmers” and Tax Collectors www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

8. Tax Farmers • A district might be leased for a fixed fee or to the highest bidder, and the “farmer” allowed to collect whatever he wished • Could stop someone along the way and charge a duty for goods they were carrying • Generally wealthy people to begin with, since money had to be paid up front • Institutionalized robbery • Levi appears to have beenstationed near the shore,perhaps to exact a duty on fishthat were caught www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

9. Tax Collectors • Collectors of direct taxes (the land tax and head tax) were viewed as collaborators with the Romans • Even though they were not “robbers” like the tax farmers • Were generally Jews in service to Rome • Hatred of collectors was especially intense in Judea, since it was under direct Roman control www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

10. Final Notes on Tax Collectors • John the Baptist gave specific instructions to tax collectors in Luke 3:12-13 • “12And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ 13And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.’” • Zacchaeus’ (a chief tax collector) restitution pledge in Luke 19:8 • “8Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

11. For Discussion • What is Levi’s response to Jesus’ call? • He followed immediately • How can he leave is post at such short notice? • When the Messiah says “Follow Me”, you go • How could Levi afford such a large gathering at his house? • Indicates the wealth of his profession • But he brought his friends to Jesus – a LOT of them www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

12. Table Fellowship • In the 1st Century, sharing a meal together was much more than eating for the sake of nourishment • Sharing a table was symbolic of unity, friendship and intimacy • Social values, boundaries, statuses and hierarchies were reinforced via meal events • Betrayal by one with whom table fellowship had been shared was particularly reprehensible www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

13. Table Fellowship (cont.) • A meal was often used as part of a reconciliation between people(s) who were estranged • Seating arrangements were VERY important in the table context • Anyone violating these norms would be viewed as an enemy of social stability www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

14. Jesus’ Table Fellowship • Jesus incorporated table fellowship into His mission • However, He used it to turn social and religious norms on their ear • He shared the table with tax collectors and “sinners” • He will later share it with Pharisees • Through table fellowship, He associates Himself with all classes, categories and varieties of people • His call is for everyone www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

15. Pharisaical Righteousness • The Pharisees originated from the Hasidim, zealous Jews who continued to observe the Jewish rituals in spite of persecution during the reign of Antiochus Ephiphanes (~165 BC) • Ritual purity was key to their righteousness • The holiness of the Temple extended to their own homes • The ritual purity required of the priests extended to their own tables • Food eaten must be ritually clean, along with their tablemates www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

16. Pharisees vs. Jesus • They obviously considered Jesus to be righteous, at least in contrast to his tablemates, since they object to His associating with “sinners” • He was a “teacher” in their eyes • However, they express their disapproval at His choice of dinner companions • (Were the Pharisees invited to the banquet?) www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

17. Sickness and Healing • Jesus said: • “itis not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • What does He mean by this statement? • Healing is understood in this context as a restoration to the right relationship with Yahweh • Those who are righteous are on the right track • It is sinners who need help www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

18. Mercy, Not Sacrifice • Jesus said: • 13“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • Hosea 6:6 • “6For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” • What is Jesus saying? • The Pharisees were preoccupied with ritual purity, while neglecting those in need www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

19. Symbolism • Significant symbolism in this story: • Jesus’ call to Levi equates to His universal call to sinners • Even the “worst” are called by the Master • Levi’s response is the embodiment of repentance • A changed heart and a new direction • The banquet is representative of the new community in the family of God • Everyone is welcome www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

20. Closing Thoughts • Is our table fellowship “open” or “closed”? • Are “sinners” welcome? • Are we trying to reach the “righteous” or the “sinners”? • Are “sinners” welcome? • Is our ritual purity (or reliance on tradition) more important than reaching the lost? • Everyone was welcome at Jesus’ table www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

21. Next Week • Three Parables About Feasting vs. Fasting Questions? www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info