And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Every party needs a pooper and that’s why we invited the Pharisees. I seem to remember using this in another passage but it goes to show just how fun they were. Here, Matthew had just met Jesus and became an immediate follower. His first impulse was to throw a party for Jesus! (Luke 5:29). He invited everyone. Not everyone was pleased. In the previous chapter, Jesus had healed a leper, the lowest of the low in that time, and a demon possessed man so the guest list was predictable. Jesus then gave the Pharisees more than a hint of who he is. God desires sacrifice in Hosea 6:6 and Jesus does the same.
When was the last time you were so overjoyed at being a follower of Jesus that you wanted to throw a party and invite everyone? When you think about it, isn’t that what we do on the Lord’s day? We come to worship him as the guest of honor and invite all who can come. Let that be our prayer for this Sunday.
Dear Lord, thank you for calling us to follow you. May we worship you as King this Sunday and invite all our friends. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church