It is characteristic of human nature that we compare other people to ourselves. We are the standard by which we judge others. Our attitude is that if only every one else were like us, there would be no more conflict and argument – all our problems would be over. It is those who insist on being different than we who cause trouble. We especially look down on those whom we consider to be less righteous than ourselves. This sense of moral superiority can cause us to not only despise others, but also prevent us from associating with them.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day considered themselves righteous and, therefore, “above” others. In view of this, Jesus’ actions amazed and mystified them. In chapter 2, verses 13 through 22 of his inspired Gospel, Mark writes, “He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him. He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?” Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made. No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.””
One of the things we learn from this passage is that Jesus did not keep a regular schedule. Instead, He took advantage of whatever opportunities life presented Him to teach. When the crowds came to Him, He did not make them come back on a set day or a set time to receive instruction. Jesus did not require a classroom either – the world was His classroom. As He walked by the Lake of Galilee, people came to Him and He taught them as they walked along. Do we use the opportunities we have to instruct others or to learn from them? Do we think that instruction can only take place in a classroom or in a place of worship?
Jesus not only taught at unconventional times and in unusual places, He called unlikely people to become His disciples. Even today most people do not think favorably of tax collectors. At the time of Jesus’ ministry, the Jews regarded tax collectors as traitors, because they collected taxes for the Romans who had conquered and occupied the Jewish nation. In addition, the Romans awarded the right to collect taxes to contractors. The tax rate was not fixed. As long as the contractor produced the amount of money the Romans demanded, he could put whatever extra he could extract from the people into his own pocket. This led to abuse and the perception that tax collectors were not only traitors to the Jewish people, but also crooks who got their wealth by oppressing others.
In spite of this, Jesus asked Levi to follow Him. Jesus could see beyond someone’s reputation to the real character within. Levi did not ask Jesus to come back after business hours. Levi did not inquire whether Jesus would provide salary and benefits which were greater than he made collecting taxes. Levi did not demand a position of authority or control over others. No, when Jesus called him, Levi immediately got up and followed, leaving his occupation, his business and his income behind. Are we willing to give up our past life in order to follow Jesus?
Levi showed his character another way. Instead of demanding that Jesus supply his wants, Levi provided for Jesus and His other disciples. He prepared a dinner for Jesus and invited many of his former associates to come as well. Instead of rejoicing that Levi had reformed, the Jewish religious leaders criticized Jesus for associating with people whom they considered tainted and beneath them.
In similar circumstances most of us would probably try to defend our associating with such people. We would tell the religious leaders that they had misunderstood. The people really were not sinners or if they were, they really hadn’t sinned that badly. Jesus did not do this. He did not dispute the leaders’ observation that the people were sinners. The truth of the matter is that all of us, whether we consider ourselves righteous or not, have fallen short of God’s standards of holiness and perfection. There is not one of us who can honestly claim that we are without sin. Instead of arguing the leaders’ opinion of the sinfulness of the people at Levi’s dinner, He pointed out the solution to their sin. We do not condemn someone for becoming ill; we take him to the doctor.
Just as the ill need healing, sinners need to be cleansed from their sin. They need forgiveness, not condemnation. That is why Jesus associated with sinners rather than those who considered themselves righteous. He did not come for those who don’t need Him. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) Do we condemn sinners or do we introduce them to the One who can cure them of their sin?
John’s disciples also criticized Jesus. This time it was not over who He chose to associate with but over a religious custom. Once more Jesus’ reply cut to the heart of the matter. Many people practice customs or rituals without giving thought to the purpose for them. Why should Jesus’ disciples fast when they had no reason to do so? To do so while Jesus was with them would be inappropriate. Jesus went on to indicate that living according to His teaching requires a new way of thinking. If one merely tries to add His teaching on top of the old ways and rituals, it would be like using a piece of unshrunk cloth to repair old clothing. Both would be ruined.