King Jesus, the Soul Doctor.
Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 9, verses 9 to 13.
Jesus’ Call, Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 9:9
“Follow me” – A hated, despised, tax-collector gets up and follows Jesus. In his crucifixion painting Rembrandt paints himself into the narrative. “Me too!”
Jesus’ Mission, Matthew 9:10-13
Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this. So he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”
Matthew 9:10-13
- Matthew’s generosity: a feast.
- The guest list: tax collectors and other sinners, eating with Jesus.
“Mercy, not sacrifice”. People were far from God, but He calls them to come. He calls only the sick. A one-class society, for all who come in sincerity.