27 And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican,
named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him,
Follow me. 28 And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a
great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at
meat with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured
against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the
publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They
that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are
sick. 32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance.
Nothing could further emphasize the sympathy of Jesus than his calling a
publican to be his close companion and friend. These taxgatherers were
everywhere despised for their dishonesty, extortion, and greed; but Jesus
chose one of them named Levi, or Matthew, and transformed him into an
apostle, an evangelist, and a saint.
There must have been something admirable in the character of the man; at
least there was something inspiring in his example, for as soon as he
heard the clear call of the Master, “He forsook all, and rose up and
followed him.”
Probably he had more to leave than any of the twelve men who became
apostles of Christ. He must have been possessed of wealth. At least, as
soon as he was converted, he made “a great feast in his house” and invited
“a great multitude of publicans and of others” to be his guests. He had
the courage of his convictions; he was not ashamed of his new Master. He
was eager to have his old friends introduced to Christ.
It was on the occasion of this feast that Jesus was criticized by the
Pharisees for eating and drinking with publicans and sinners. He made this
most significant reply: “They that are in health have no need of a
physician; but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous but
sinners to repentance.” By this statement Jesus emphasized and vindicated
his conduct and defined his mission. A physician enters a sick room, not
because he delights in disease or rejoices in suffering, but because he
desires to cure and to relieve; so Jesus companied with sinners not
because he countenanced sin or enjoyed the society of the depraved, but
because, as a healer of souls, he was willing to go where he was most
needed and to work where the ravages of sin were most severe. He came into
the world to save sinners. Their conduct distressed him, their sins pained
him; but to accomplish his task he sought them out and showed his sympathy
by his presence and by his healing power.
Are there any who do not need the spiritual cure he can effect? Are any
“sound;” are some not “sinners”? These questions each must answer for
himself. Probably those who like the Pharisees are least conscious of
their sickness are in most desperate danger. Then again, are those who
know his power willing like the Master to go with his gospel to the places
of greatest need?