Luke 5:27-32 - Undue skepticism
Scripture:
Luke 5:27-32
27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me."
28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.
29 And 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.
30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"
31 And 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."
NASU
NASU
Thoughts:
As a tax collector (verse 27), we might think of Levi as a shrewd businessman. The Jews felt tax collectors were traitors because they collected taxes from their own people, to give to Rome. They were further despised as thieves, because the Romans had difficulty tracking exactly how much tax was actually owed, allowing dishonest collectors to charge more than they actually passed on, and thereby enriching themselves.
But Levi here, is leaving behind this despicable business to follow Jesus (verse 28). Levi is also known as the disciple Matthew, author of the gospel with his name. Levi was not merely following Jesus that day, but he surrendered his life to Jesus, and would never turn back.
This story from Jesus' life, like countless others, is a pleasant read for us. Having chosen to follow Christ, Levi is throwing a reception (verse 29). Having been a tax collector himself, he invites more to come and sit with Jesus. We don't know if any of them turned to Christ, but undoubtedly this put them as close to Him as they had ever been.
But the Pharisees and scribes find fault with this scene (verse 30). They are critical of Jesus for sitting amongst these sinners, rather than being thankful for Levi's changed life.
As we read this, we find ourselves thinking, what's wrong with these guys! How could they find fault with such a wonderful story? However, if we look closely at ourselves, we sometimes find ourselves doing this same thing. When something good happens in another's life or ministry, we may try to find problems with it. Rather than being thankful to God for His work in another's life, we critique it, as though God should have checked with us first.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for looking for faults in other people and ministries, rather than being glad for what You are doing. I know over matters of truth there must always be discernment and therefore division from falsehood, but over matters of style and preference replace my critical spirit with one of grace, compassion, understanding, and thankfulness. Help me not to go digging for faults, but to rejoice with the rejoicing! (Romans 12:15)
Amen
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