Xanthe Hancox

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’  Mark 2:15-16

It’s interesting to think about the people Jesus would spend time with if he lived among us today. Would he hang out at church picnics or go to glitzy dinner parties hosted by overpaid government officials? It’s hard to imagine the latter, but dinner at Levi’s wasn’t exactly what respectable people did.

Levi, also known as Matthew, was a tax collector for the Roman government. Like other tax collectors, he may also have been corrupt, growing rich by charging excessive taxes and pocketing the extra change. He was the kind of person that hardworking, honest people didn’t like. Most would have thought he had no chance with God. Yet, he was someone whom Jesus went after in his grace. Levi was just the kind of person Jesus came to save.

Jesus’ words remind us that there’s no one his love cannot reach. He didn’t come “to call the righteous, but sinners.” He came to share God’s love with people who were spiritually sick and unsavory. He came for each of us, no matter our sin. And he has called us to follow him.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for providing for us. Thank you, Jesus, for showing us how to celebrate our Father's good gifts. May we be as loving and compassionate as you are, opening our homes to people who know and those who don’t. Amen