Soon after Matthew was called to follow Jesus, he threw a party and invited his friends to meet Jesus. Other tax collectors and other disreputable sinners were invited to come to the banquet. Most of the people were like Matthew. They had to befriend each other because the general population wouldn’t have anything to do with them. The Pharisees and teachers of the religious law watched with disdain. They wouldn’t enter the house but complained to the disciples of Jesus. Jesus does come and give them an answer. Today we might call it a “parking lot” conversation.
Luke 5:30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” 31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” [1]
While the religious leaders had lots of knowledge about God, they did not see a need to turn from their sins and turn toward God. (This is called repentance.) They were spiritually blind to their own condition. Those who had limited knowledge of God realized their need for Jesus because they knew they were sinners. The religious leaders had knowledge without spiritual transformation.
As we open our hearts to the Lord, we realize like the tax collectors and other disreputable sinners our need for Jesus. Paul writes in Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”[2] Paul also writes in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. [3]
Recognizing our need for Jesus is the first step in coming to faith. Calling us to faith is what God does and it is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord receives all the credit for this as He is the one who calls us. Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven because all our sins were placed on Him at the cross. Jesus paid for our sins, which is something we could not do. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross He is able to call us to faith and we are able to be forgiven.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for revealing to me my need for you because I am a sinner. Help me Jesus to turn from my sin and turn toward you so I can be forgiven. I praise you Lord for your wonderful gift of salvation that I don’t deserve, but you have given it to me as a free gift. Amen.
Our ministry loves to connect with our readers. If you have a prayer request or a comment, please let us know. Also, if this devotional helped you, please share it with others.
To hear more about the call of Matthew, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-call-matthew
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 5:30–32). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.