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by Sandy Shaw
In Mark Chapter 2 at verse 13, following the healing of the paralysed man, Jesus went on to call Levi – Matthew.
Matthew followed immediately without any cajoling or persuading.
Imagine the situation Levi was in. He was collecting taxes for Rome – the Roman occupiers.
Imagine if Islam took over in this country and someone local was appointed to collect the taxes for the new authority – for the Sharia Courts. That could separate you, and cut you off from others.
‘Sinners’, at that time, meant people who were cut off from their local synagogue – or people who did not live up to the standards of the day. They could not mix with everyone in society.
When Levi was called he threw a party, for his former colleagues and ‘sinners’ and Jesus and His disciples were present.
There is no charge laid against Levi. There is no hint of dishonesty and corruption, which was rampant at that time amongst tax collectors. (Recall Zacchaeus, that ‘chief tax collector’ – he was very different!)
There is no indication that Matthew had to tidy up his desk or sort out his affairs. He was ready to arise and move on with Jesus Christ, making a clean break with the past – as did the fishermen.
Levi throws a banquet for his friends, but there is a struggle elsewhere – in the hearts and lives of these critics.
Notice how perfectly Jesus answers in Mark Chapter 2 – nothing further needed to be added.
There is another healing here – move onto Chapter 3 – where we read of a man with a withered hand. It was the Sabbath.
In the view of others, Jesus healed at the wrong time and in the wrong place.
Jesus was going around helping people and healing the sick and releasing men from sin and the consequences of sin.
One could only do works of mercy and works of necessity, according to the law. Did this not come into that category?
Jesus was touching something that was very central to their religion.
Jesus was touching their religion and traditions.
Jesus was touching their sin.
Jesus was breaking their rules and regulations and challenging their way of life.
But was this not what the Sabbath was for – to worship, and rest from other works and duties, and to be repaired and restored and healed and refreshed?
Jesus came to heal what was shrivelled.
Their hearts are as shrivelled as that man’s hand!
They are insecure and anxious as Jesus challenges religious regulations.
These religious men were telling others what to do, and some people like that. It means they do not have to think about matters for themselves.
Jesus was dealing with what was really wrong, and some were helped, and some were furious.
Religion had become a very external thing, and Jesus challenges that. Their righteousness became self-righteousness.
Jesus was prepared to meet with and eat with sinners.
They must have watched and observed Jesus closely – but for wrong reasons.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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