I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Matthew 9:12
In the middle of our ordinary days, God sometimes calls us out to do things that we would usually overlook. I believe this is because we don’t have the same mindset or motive as He does, and so when we look at situations, we are more self-minded than God-minded. Suppose you walk down the street and happen to pass by someone you consider less than yourself. I mean, you come from a family with some money, and there are only certain people with whom you associate. So you choose to walk by without speaking or even looking in that direction. This person may be in great need, and you have the resources to help. But you never know because you looked the other way. And the tough thing is that it didn’t even bother you.
Jesus had an opportunity to do the same thing. He saw a man who was less than desirable to have as a friend. His name was Matthew, and he was a tax collector. Much like today, no one liked tax collectors. They were greedy, made money off people who didn’t have it to share and looked down upon by those in the community. There is nothing to say that Matthew was any different. To those in the community, he was undesirable.
But Jesus passed by…
The power of the call
Jesus passed by Matthew and asked him a question in the form of a command. It’s like when you ask your children to clean their rooms in the way of a command. You say, “Clean your rooms.” That means, “Will you please clean your room?” This conversation was unexpected from Jesus. Jesus knew all along that He and Matthew would have that conversation. This call to Matthew was powerful.
What would it take for you to leave your current job or occupation and follow Jesus as a full-time disciple who would spend the next three years or so walking, talking, and learning from the Master? Remember, Matthew had a job. He wasn’t looking for a career change. He was satisfied taking money from unsuspecting customers and was most likely making a good wage.
But Jesus passed by…and said, “Follow Me.”
Those words are so strong and powerful and made such a difference in Matthew’s life. No one had probably looked at Matthew with any love or compassion. He was a hated man in society.
The power of the response
Immediately, Matthew rose and followed Jesus. There is no indication of hesitation or reservation. The response was immediate. Not only that, but Matthew followed up with a party and invited all of his tax collector friends with others in the city who were not well-respected. They were the lowest of the low. The Pharisees considered them to be sinners and questioned Jesus’ motive. Why would Jesus eat with such people? Doesn’t he realize that He should have been at the “spiritual dinner” with the other religious leaders?
The power of the motive
We sometimes don’t understand what Jesus is doing until it’s done. I think Jesus went to this dinner party with the expectation that the Pharisees would question
Him about it and his attendance there with the dregs of society. But Jesus used this as an opportunity to explain His purpose in coming to the earth. He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” In many ways, Jesus agreed with the Pharisees that these people needed great help. But they didn’t need judgment from the Pharisees. They needed a Savior, who was Jesus.
Their problem wasn’t that they were “bad” people. Their problem was that they needed Jesus.
They needed mercy.
Jesus demonstrated mercy towards them because he felt compassion towards them. We don’t know how many, if any, turned from their lives of sin to Jesus that night, but what we do know is that Jesus welcomed them with mercy.
How do we welcome those who need Jesus?