The Guest List

      Read Matthew 9:9-12.  In the time of Jesus, tax collectors in Jerusalem were Jewish men who worked for the Roman officials.  They had the reputation of harassing their fellow Jews, inflating the amounts charged, skimming money off the top, shaking people down, and often requiring them (by force) to pay their taxes more than once.  So, what a surprise to hear Jesus’ call to Matthew, in the tax collector booth, “Follow me!”  It would be like Jesus recruiting at a prison or along 42nd Street.  Church, how could Jesus possibly have any credibility when he summoned a sinner?   The short answer is…that’s why he was sent.  (See John 3:16).

      Matthew threw a banquet hosting Jesus and invited others including his tax collector friends.  When the Pharisees saw this, they pounced.  Often trying to discredit Jesus, they asked the disciples, why Jesus, chose to eat with sinners? Overhearing the comment, Jesus offensively responded.  He compared the sinner to the sick and their need for a savior to a doctor.  Friends, Matthew was sinful; he needed help.  Does a well person seek a doctor?  No, it’s a waste of time to seek treatment when one is not ill.  This statement caused those in earshot to question.  Am I healthy?  Clearly, Matthew and those in attendance were hearing Jesus’ message; the Pharisees were not. 

     Do you need a Savior?  The Bonhoeffer Project surveyed people asking that question and a numerous responses went like this: I am a good person, I have good intentions and I am typically honest, I am not out to intentionally harm someone and considering all of that…while not perfect, the belief is, heaven is my destination with no mention of needing a Savior. None of that is scriptural, Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” If we did not need a savior, God would not have sent one.   Until we see ourselves as sinners, we won’t see ourselves in need of a Savior. Scripture is clear, we don’t get to heaven without a Savior. 

     Right now, our world has much division, we may find ourselves more focused on our differences than our similarities, this text offers us an important and unique perspective on Christ and the people Christ chooses as his own.  Would Jesus eat with people at the racetrack, the bar, the club, the church, the PTA, the corner, the crooks, the riffraff? Yes, we are all sinners; we all fall short of the glory of God. As written in James, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (2:10.)  There is no sliding scale on sin…foundationally everyone is equally in need of forgiveness and of grace.  Of course, knowledge brings greater responsibility and arguing over whose sin is worse stimulates self-righteousness which scripture condemns; and overlooking the differences between sin encourages ignorance and stimies spiritual growth. All sin is wrong and we are all sinners in need of a Savior. (See Romans 6:23).  

     What Jesus is teaching here is what he just finished teaching on the Sermon on the Mount he said, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?...” The Pharisees could not see their faulty ways.  Always judging, pointing at others, and short on grace and mercy, they were missing the boat.  Are we?   

     Jesus came for the sinners; He came for you and me, and Matthew and everyone else who calls on him.  The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has provided forgiveness for all our trespasses as we need to actively participate to be walking in Christian faith.

     Matthew walked away from the financially profitable life he knew, unlike the other disciples, he could not return, but Matthew became much richer.  Aware of the Old Testament, Matthew witnessed the prophesy fulfilled in Christ and was saved to live eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven.

     To close, Jesus says, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  One definition of mercy is not receiving what we deserve.  How often might we hear ourselves scream, that’s unfair when mercy is extended to others?   We need to thank God that He does not work on our lopsided gauge.  God is not interested in the rituals -paying for sin with a sacrifice, He is interested in a changed heart.   Religious tradition is not important, showing love and extending mercy are.  We have received mercy and grace and as we mature in our faith, may we reciprocate with mercy and grace as freely as we have received it. And all God’s people say, amen.   

Blessings,

Pastor Kerry

---

You’re invited to worship with us!

Whether in person or online, join us Sundays at 10 AM EST on Facebook as we come together to praise, pray, and hear God’s Word.

Stay connected with the Westminster Weekly!

Sign up to receive updates on upcoming events, celebrations, and important church news delivered straight to your inbox.