Tax Collectors and Sinners
Always Remember Our Origins
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 9:13 NKJV - "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
OBSERVATION:
In Matthew chapter 9, we see Jesus calling a notorious sinner, Matthew, to follow Him. Hated by his own people and abandoned by his family, Matthew had sold out to the Romans. His relentless pursuit of wealth led him down a difficult path from which he couldn't easily turn back. He was forsaken, rejected, despised, and cast out by friends, family, and even the synagogue.
How long did Matthew observe Jesus? He noticed something different—something that the religious leaders neither showed nor taught. They avoided associating with Him, fearing his sin might infect them. Instead of offering hope through forgiveness and restoration, they condemned and shunned Him.
When Jesus called Matthew, he left everything behind and followed Him. He became a transformed man. Those who knew him—both from the world and those who despised him—saw the change. Some refused to accept it, and others were curious about what had happened.
Aware of this, Jesus did something so controversial that it stirred outrage among both the people and the religious leaders.
Matthew 9:11 NKJV - And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
In Jesus' time, sharing a meal signified unity with someone. The religious leaders believed Jesus was aligning himself with sinners, which they saw as unacceptable for the righteous. They had lost sight of God's true nature. Jesus advised them to go and learn what this really means. This isn’t a new concept; it reflects God’s eternal character.
Exodus 34:5-7 NKJV - (5) Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (6) And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, (7) "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
They of all people knew who God was because Moses—whom they valued greatly—had been told God's identity. However, they had forgotten.
Matthew 9:13 NKJV - "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
OBSERVATION:
In Matthew chapter 9, we see Jesus calling a notorious sinner, Matthew, to follow Him. Hated by his own people and abandoned by his family, Matthew had sold out to the Romans. His relentless pursuit of wealth led him down a difficult path from which he couldn't easily turn back. He was forsaken, rejected, despised, and cast out by friends, family, and even the synagogue.
How long did Matthew observe Jesus? He noticed something different—something that the religious leaders neither showed nor taught. They avoided associating with Him, fearing his sin might infect them. Instead of offering hope through forgiveness and restoration, they condemned and shunned Him.
When Jesus called Matthew, he left everything behind and followed Him. He became a transformed man. Those who knew him—both from the world and those who despised him—saw the change. Some refused to accept it, and others were curious about what had happened.
Aware of this, Jesus did something so controversial that it stirred outrage among both the people and the religious leaders.
Matthew 9:11 NKJV - And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
In Jesus' time, sharing a meal signified unity with someone. The religious leaders believed Jesus was aligning himself with sinners, which they saw as unacceptable for the righteous. They had lost sight of God's true nature. Jesus advised them to go and learn what this really means. This isn’t a new concept; it reflects God’s eternal character.
Exodus 34:5-7 NKJV - (5) Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (6) And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, (7) "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
They of all people knew who God was because Moses—whom they valued greatly—had been told God's identity. However, they had forgotten.
“These words are the more arresting when we remember that they were addressed to the teachers of men…The rebuke of Christ showed that they did not know God, and He bade them go and learn the meaning of their own Scriptures.” – G. Campbell Morgan.
“This would be distasteful to men who thought they knew everything already.” – Charles Spurgeon.
“This would be distasteful to men who thought they knew everything already.” – Charles Spurgeon.
APPLICATION:
Jesus’ words ought to motivate, challenge, and lead us. “I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
If we wish to see the sinner perish out of disdain for their unrighteousness, we overlook the true meaning of mercy. Mercy involves not receiving what we deserve. When we forget our own unworthiness, we misunderstand mercy and are prone to judge those who fail to be righteous. Jesus stated, “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” His purpose was not to die for the righteous but for sinners. If there had been even one person righteous enough, God would have commanded them to follow Him. Since no one is truly righteous, Jesus came to save sinners—people like you and me, as well as tax collectors and other sinners.
The next time you wonder, “How can I associate with sinners?” remember where you came from.
Christianity is not an exclusive club for the righteous. We must always remember that we, too, were lost sinners. If we ever forget, we, too, like the Pharisees, need to learn what this means.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to eat with a sinner like me. I did not (still don’t) deserve Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Remind me when I forget, or when I get a bit Pharisaical of heart, go and learn what this means.
Jesus’ words ought to motivate, challenge, and lead us. “I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
If we wish to see the sinner perish out of disdain for their unrighteousness, we overlook the true meaning of mercy. Mercy involves not receiving what we deserve. When we forget our own unworthiness, we misunderstand mercy and are prone to judge those who fail to be righteous. Jesus stated, “For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” His purpose was not to die for the righteous but for sinners. If there had been even one person righteous enough, God would have commanded them to follow Him. Since no one is truly righteous, Jesus came to save sinners—people like you and me, as well as tax collectors and other sinners.
The next time you wonder, “How can I associate with sinners?” remember where you came from.
Christianity is not an exclusive club for the righteous. We must always remember that we, too, were lost sinners. If we ever forget, we, too, like the Pharisees, need to learn what this means.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to eat with a sinner like me. I did not (still don’t) deserve Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Remind me when I forget, or when I get a bit Pharisaical of heart, go and learn what this means.
Mercy, over sacrifice!
Posted in Matthew