Luke 5:27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."
The first thing that caught my eye is the man not hesitating to follow Jesus. Secondly, this passage highlights Jesus' wit, I think. Because, ironically enough there really are no righteous in this scene. He is poking at the Pharisees and indicating that they are sinners themselves just like the tax collectors. Jesus strikes again. This is one of those passages where I am just amazed at how he handles these clueless, sinful people. He puts them in their place and holds up the reflective mirror to them but he does it with love.
ReplyDeleteThis type of forgiveness is something that I should both accept from God and also strive to emulate.