Levi the Tax Collector = Matthew the Tax Collector

Levi the Tax Collector = Matthew the Tax Collector = Matthew the disciple of Jesus

One last connection to Levi being a disciple...

This is the same pattern as the calling of Levi/Matthew.

Dinner is a very intimate event in this culture.
It would denote acceptance and potentially approval of Levi's lifestyle.

Tax collectors were some of the worst sinners:
- they betrayed their people and sided with the oppressors.
- They made their money by adding extra charges to the taxes = extortion
- The Mishnah prohibited receiving alms/offerings from a tax collector. Bad/illegal gain.
- Mishnah also declared any home a tax collector entered to be unclean.
- Mishnah said: it was considered acceptable and not a sin to lie to tax collectors to keep your taxes low.

Parallel parable:
Doctor goes to the sick, not the healthy.
Savior goes to the sinner, not the righteous.

BUT. JESUS DOES NOT GO TO THE SINNER TO GIVE APPROVAL.

Just as a doctor does not visit the sick to leave them sick, but to make them healthy;
Jesus goes to the sinner, to call them to repentance.

the call to repentance fits Mark's themes as well...

Look at where the repentance is called for, though:

Yes, Matthew and the other tax collectors and people living a sinful lifestyle are called to repent and change their ways. (Matthew leaves the tax booth and follows Jesus)

But there is a note to the Pharisees as well:

"MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE"

Hosea is an 8th century BCE prophet, mostly operating in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

He calls them out here for pursuing injustice while claiming righteousness (right standing/relationship with God) because of their observance of sacrifices and offerings.

This echoes the prophet Samuel, centuries earlier, when he calls out Saul for disobeying the LORD:
God had said to defeat and completely destroy the Amalekites. They were to keep nothing.
But Saul decided to keep the best cattle as an offering to God. (Parallel to the unworthy money from the tax collectors?)

This is a sobering event that should be held in mind as Jesus says this to the Pharisees.

We all see ourselves as the "good guys".

OK.

So, whoever the "sinners" are from your view... how are you reaching out in love to call them to repentance to know and follow Christ?

And how are you showing MERCY, not just external moments of righteousness for show?