Daily Word - A Tax Collector? Seriously? - Luke 5:27-32

Scripture:
Luke 5:27-32 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Calls Levi
27(A) After this he went out and saw(B) a tax collector named(C) Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me." 28And(D) leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company(E) of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30And the Pharisees and(F) their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying,(G) "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32(H) I have not come to call the righteous(I) but sinners(J) to repentance."
Cross references:
Luke 5:27 : For Luke 5:27-38, Matt 9:9-17; Mark 2:14-22
Luke 5:27 : Matt 11:19; Matt 5:46
Luke 5:27 : Matt 9:9
Luke 5:28 : Luke 5:11
Luke 5:29 : Luke 15:1, 2
Luke 5:30 : Acts 4:5; 23:9
Luke 5:30 : Luke 15:2; Matt 11:19
Luke 5:32 : Luke 15:7; John 9:39
Luke 5:32 : 1 Tim 1:15
Luke 5:32 : Luke 13:3, 5; 15:10; 24:47; Matt 4:17; 11:20; Mark 1:15; Acts 5:31

Reflection:
People in Palestine were divided into roughly two groups: the orthodox Jews who rigidly kept the law and all its petty regulations, and the rest who didn't keep all the minute regulations. The orthodox treated the latter like second class citizens. They scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews. In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men -- a tax collector who by profession was despised by the Jewish people. When the Pharisees challenged his unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defence was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed the greatest care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom show them mercy and kindness?

Prayer For The Day:
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)