Mark in March

Mark 2:13-17

¹³ Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi (Matthew) son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵ Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) ¹⁶ But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

V.13 – People everywhere were learning about how much Jesus loved and cared for people and they were drawn to Him.  Truth and Light attracts.  People want to know the truth and they need to be loved.

v.14 – I can just hear Levi saying, “Wow, this worker of miracles and wise beyond anyone I’ve ever known, who people love and gather around, wants me to be His disciple!  He wants to teach me!”  So Levi deserted what he did for a living and followed Jesus.  I wonder if he left the taxes he had collected, also?

v.15 – Sinners knew Jesus had the answer they were searching for; they knew He had what they longed for; they wanted to see every miracle He performed.  Grace revealed Truth and Light to them.  People who want what Jesus has to offer, are not disappointed or turned away.  Did Levi want other sinners to receive the salvation he had received?  Is that why he invited so many to his house with Jesus?

v.16 -  Those Pharisees again!

v.17 – Dr. Law meets Dr. Grace.  It seems that Jesus spent the majority of His teaching time explaining His Grace to the people who were so bound by the Law of Moses.  Jesus did not come to call those who think they know it all, but those who are humble and realize they need all of what Jesus has to offer.  The reality is that without Jesus, we are all sick!  Some folks just don’t want to admit it.  It’s that age-old pride issue.

What does Mark 2:13-17 say to you?