Friday, 6th of July 2018

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and he said to him, «Follow me». And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, «Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?». When Jesus heard this he said, «Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and find out what this means: ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice’. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners».

Source: http://evangeli.net/gospel/

Analysis

Today's passage shows the time where Jesus called Matthew to join Him for the first time. And it is no coincidence that Matthew himself would write about it in his version of the gospel. The passage opens with Jesus seeing Matthew, a tax collector, sitting in the custom house, and He said to Matthew to follow Him. In Matthew's house, other tax collectors and sinners joined them, and this made the pharisees uncomfortable. They asked the disciples why Jesus ate with the sinners and tax collectors. Jesus heard and answered that healthy people did not need a doctor, but sick people do. Likewise, He did not came to call the righteous, but the sinners.

This passage has more to do with Jesus' mission at the time, that is to sacrifice His eternal life and freedom so mankind would not die, regardless of what they did. Of course, a sinner would be the ones that is helped the most, as it gives them hope to change and they do not have to feel the excruciating and terrifying pain known as death. Though if we observe the status of the world, most people are sinners one way or another, so Jesus' words stand that He came for sinners. An interesting part of what He said is that He wishes for mercy and not sacrifice. You see, previously sins are redeemed by sacrificial offerings, as the punishment for sin is weighted upon the animals. However, Jesus said that this is not the right way, as putting away the punishment only moves the problem, but it does not solve the problem. Though eventually Jesus did made Himself the ultimate sacrificial lamb. Regardless, I believe that is all I have to say, have a nice day and see you tomorrow.