Tax Collectors and Sinners
Luke 5:27-32
Who is worthy of Jesus’ attention? Thus far, we have seen him call Simon Peter, a self-proclaimed sinner, heal a leper with an unnecessary touch, and honor the faith of men who skipped their place in line and made a commotion by lowering a man who needed forgiveness through the roof. In each of these episodes, we see Jesus moving toward folks from whom we might expect him to shy away in favor of more “proper” company. That theme continues and intensifies in today’s text, which focuses on a tax collector named Levi.
The thing to know about Jewish tax collectors in Jesus’ day is that they had a reputation for dishonesty and made their living through collusion with the oppressive Roman Empire. Thus, it would have been natural to understand tax collectors in general as traitorous cheats. It’s not surprising, then, that the Pharisees in today’s passage speak of “tax collectors and sinners” in quick succession as if the terms belong together. Needless to say, tax collectors weren’t high on anyone’s list of people to know. How surprising, then, to see Jesus call a tax collector to follow him! And, how much more surprising to see him attend a banquet full of them?
That surprise is what the Pharisees grappled with when they saw Jesus at said banquet. In their minds, it just didn’t make sense for a great teacher to mingle with tax collectors and sinners. In doing so, Jesus made himself vulnerable to their uncleanness even as he extended the undeserved acceptance implicit in table fellowship. Hence the Pharisees’ question to Jesus’ disciples: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Though the question was directed toward his disciples, Jesus himself gives the answer: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Here’s something we need to hear and internalize: the kingdom of God draws near to unworthy people, not for the sake of condemning them but rather for the sake of inviting them to a new life in tune with God. To be sure, Jesus doesn’t leave us as he finds us - part of the discipleship journey is taking on Jesus’ new way of life. At the same time, the kingdom message is one of invitation for all who will heed Jesus’ call to follow.
We ourselves need to remember this when we feel low and unworthy. Even in these moments - perhaps especially in these moments - we are invited to the table. And, we need to remember the same when we are tempted to act like the Pharisees in the story. Rather than holding ourselves aloof from others for the sake of holiness or purity, we can lean forward in invitation. They are invited to the table, too. The kingdom of God is for such as these.