As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, " Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I come not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:9-13, ESV)
This evokes questions for me, challenges me. It feels like a cup of desert coffee. Strong, bold, but warm and satisfying. What questions, thoughts, feelings do these words elicit for you?
Alright, I'll start:
ReplyDelete1. Why did Jesus invite Matthew to follow him? What was it about Matthew that Jesus saw to prompt him to ask? Why did Matthew follow?
2. I am challenged by Jesus' casual and relaxed manner among "sinners and tax collectors." One, it challenges me to just relax with him isntead of striving for his attention/affection. Two, it also challenges me to do the same with others, even with those it may be hard to do.