Can you relate to a Tax Collector?

In Matthew 9:10-13, we find an interesting statement made by Jesus himself as he addressed a pretty pointed question. Jesus had selected a disciple that most people would probably not like or approve of. Matthew, who was a tax collector, probably didn’t have the reputation most Christians strive to obtain these days. I would assume that Matthew was a guy who didn’t really care about your personal well being or your financial hardships. All he was after was the taxes due to the government. Most likely there wasn’t much mercy or compassion exuding out of Matthew but yet Jesus said, ‘follow me’.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house a few tax collector friends came over to eat with them. I can just imagine some of the conversations that went on around the table or in the living room. The tax collectors potentially exchanging stories of a man who pleaded with them that day not to seize his livestock because he couldn’t pay his back taxes. Or the widowed mom who has a child to raise and didn’t have money to pay her taxes.

The Pharisees saw this happening and asked (may I point out that they didn’t ask Jesus himself because it says Jesus heard them talking) why Jesus would eat with tax collectors and sinners. I love the response that Jesus so eloquently communicated. He said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.’ He told them to go and learn what that meant.

When I see this I’m reminded of how much I am in need of Jesus. Yes, I’m following the Lord and by his grace walking out the calling he has for me but I am painfully aware of my inadequacies to fulfill that calling without him. Don’t get me wrong, my theology is not of the nature where I think we are the scum of the earth and that we have no value. We are created in God’s image and he is madly in love with us no matter what our actions may be sometimes. That does not go to say that he won’t convict us of our sinful nature and even discipline us when necessary.

I love the fact that Jesus spends time with those who ‘don’t have it all together’. I am so captivated with the idea that the savior of all mankind, the creator of the universe, my dad is excited to sit down and have a meal and spend time with me. To be honest, he loves to spend time with you as well! If you have been struggling with the fact that you are a little less than perfect and that your reputation may not be as the one who ‘gets everything right’; know that you are a perfect candidate to have Jesus come over to your house and have a meal with you and your friends. With that said, please understand that Jesus will not leave you where you are but he will disciple you into his truth and you will be changed into his image. That’s what he did with the disciples that he hand picked. He took them where they were in life and then taught them how to live a supernatural life. Jesus will do the same for you!