Luke 5:27 – 32 Tax Collectors vs. Pharisees

Luke 5:27 – 32 Tax Collectors vs. Pharisees

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Tax collectors in the time of Jesus were the lowest of the low. They were collaborators with their people’s oppressors. Some, I’m sure took full advantage of the power their position gave them, others saw it as a way to make a living. We don’t know what sort of tax collector Levi was, although the fact that he left everything behind to follow Jesus speaks well of him. Jesus didn’t make assumptions about Levi. By reaching out to Levi regardless of his job title, Jesus found a follower who brought additional tax collectors into his presence and exposed them to his message. It’s great that they were open to hearing Jesus and that Jesus didn’t pre-judge them. In contrast, the Pharisees were also in positions of power over the people, yet they had nothing but criticism for Jesus. In their own minds they were secure in both their positions and in God’s favor (aka, self-righteous). They are also exposed to Jesus message of repentance and reform. Instead of being open to it as were the tax collectors, they denigrated and dismissed both the message and the messenger. One of Jesus most admirable characteristic in my mind is his humility and his gentleness. Self-righteousness is the polar opposite of this.