The Apostle Matthew ~ El Greco ~ 1610-1614
27 Later on, Jesus went out and looked straight at a tax-collector called Levi, as he sat in his office. "Follow me," he said to him. 28 And he got to his feet, left everything behind and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave a big reception for Jesus in his own house, and there was a great crowd of tax-collectors and others at table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their companions the scribes kept grumbling about him to Jesus' disciples, saying, "Why do you have your meals with tax-collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come with an invitation for the 'just' but for the 'sinners'- to repentance. Luke 5:27-32
The next one called by Jesus to discipleship is Levi. In any gospel list naming the apostles, there is no mention of a Levi. Scholars debate if this is Matthew. We let them argue it out.
Verse 27: Notice that Jesus went out and looked straight at the tax-collector. It sounds as if Jesus has honed in on Levi. But Levi carries a lot of baggage - he's a Jew who collects taxes from his fellow Jews for the occupying Roman Empire or for Herod, who was a phony Jew - Caesar's puppet. Jesus kind of barges in on this corrupted guy and speaks only two words - "Follow me."
Verse 28: In response to Jesus, Levi doesn't question, doesn't argue, doesn't call the police to get rid of the intruder. Instead, he's on his feet and leaves everything behind to follow Jesus. But what does everything mean? I'd suggest it's easier to leave material things behind than some inner treasured agenda. Maybe Christ is hoping for me to leave behind some ideology that doesn't expand me to serve God's purposes of informed justice or compassion. Over four decades I've met more than a few Christians who I sense would find it easier to leave behind bank books than their precious ideological loyalties.
Verse 29,30: This dinner party is a recipe for disaster as the guest list is made up of religiously unsavory types and the morality police. These guys, who sniff out what's un-approved, talk negatively about Jesus to his disciples. They must have known the criticisms would get back to him. Troublemakers.
Verse 31: But Jesus answers for himself. He doesn't respond to the critical questions by sending the disciples back to the objectors. "It's not the healthy who need the doctor." Was Jesus speaking tongue in cheek? They think they alone are spiritually healthy. I'm thinking of Pope Francis likening the Church to a field hospital. A field hospital is found amidst the disaster, the damage and the ruins.
Verse 32: Jesus gives us his idea of religion's purpose - to call persons to repentance. But repentance doesn't mean beating myself up over past mistakes, rather, turning inwardly, to face a new direction. Repentance is on-going, not once and for all. "Today, I will light a candle in the darkness." "Today, I will find my way to some new awareness and heart response." "Today, I will give up some old objection or self-protecting agenda."
Verse 29,30: This dinner party is a recipe for disaster as the guest list is made up of religiously unsavory types and the morality police. These guys, who sniff out what's un-approved, talk negatively about Jesus to his disciples. They must have known the criticisms would get back to him. Troublemakers.
Verse 31: But Jesus answers for himself. He doesn't respond to the critical questions by sending the disciples back to the objectors. "It's not the healthy who need the doctor." Was Jesus speaking tongue in cheek? They think they alone are spiritually healthy. I'm thinking of Pope Francis likening the Church to a field hospital. A field hospital is found amidst the disaster, the damage and the ruins.
Verse 32: Jesus gives us his idea of religion's purpose - to call persons to repentance. But repentance doesn't mean beating myself up over past mistakes, rather, turning inwardly, to face a new direction. Repentance is on-going, not once and for all. "Today, I will light a candle in the darkness." "Today, I will find my way to some new awareness and heart response." "Today, I will give up some old objection or self-protecting agenda."
