CONFLICT OVER JESUS ASSOCIATES: Mark 2:13-15

The fact that Jesus included Levi as one of his disciples, and that he included many of Levi’s friends as his followers was utterly scandalous to the Pharisees.

Tax-collectors were “notorious sinners.” They worked for hated Rome (backed up by Roman soldiers) and were on total commission. The rabbis called them “licensed robbers” and “wild beasts in human form.” They were excommunicated from the synagogues and viewed as unredeemable. Although rich, their Jewish countrymen would not associate with them or touch their money because this would make them ceremonially unclean. So they tended to throw lavish parties for one another. No self-respecting rabbi would be found dead with a tax-collector, let alone make one of them his disciple or hang out with his friends!

But Levi and his friends were not a lost cause to Jesus! For all of his sinfulness, Levi evidently was a spiritual seeker. Like a lot of people (including many of us), he was probably looking for love in all the wrong places. And when heard Jesus, he recognized the love he had been looking for. And when he entrusted himself to Jesus, Jesus’ love changed his life. When Jesus gave him the opportunity to join his band of workers, he was delighted to quit his job to do so. Probably the party in 2:15 was thrown by Levi to celebrate his salvation and was a great opportunity for him and Jesus to invite his friends to believe (and many did).

But did the Pharisees rejoice because of this man’s changed life? Did they ask Jesus, “What are you teaching that has such a wonderful effect on these people?” No! Read 2:16. They were angry that he would even associate with such people.

Jesus reply to their objection is found in Mark 2;17 were he compared himself to a doctor and sinners to sick people. Salvation is for those who know they are sinners, not for those who think they are righteous.

Luke 16:15
Then he (Jesus) said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honours’ is detestable in the sight of God”

The root conflict here was between Jesus’ insistence on initiating God’s love towards “Sinners” versus religions’ insistence on “separation” from them.

Luke 18:14 tells us that the sinner, not the Pharisees returned home justified. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Do you insist that you’re a good person? Jesus can’t help you! Are you ready to admit that you’re a sinner/sick? Then the doctor is ready to make a free home call.

God Bless