Good News For a Bad World - Studies in the Gospel of Mark - 10
Mark 2:13-28 (2)
I read recently the story of a young person who became a Christian. The friend who led her Christ suggested that she started to read through the Gospel of Mark.
A couple of weeks later she came back and asked her friend for a book on Church history. “Why do you want a book on church history?” “Because (she said) I want to find out when Christians stopped being like Jesus.
Before you do anything or say anything that would be good to ask ourselves. What would Jesus do? What would He say? How would He act and react in this kind of situation?
We’re looking today at Mark chapter 2. Last time we noticed that Jesus did something Unbelievable. He called a tax collector to be part of His leadership team.
Now JESUS DOES SOMETHING UNTHINKABLE.
Jesus not only stops and speaks and calls Levi to follow Him. Get this. He then goes with Levi to his home and sits down and eats with him and all his tax collecting friends. And that‘s totally and absolutely unthinkable.
And the Scribes and Pharisees, when they get wind of it, they’re mad.
Verses 15-17 “ … it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, ‘How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?’”
Remember if you would, that in their culture eating and drinking was THE thing to do with friends. That’s where relationships were built and established and strengthened.
So when we read that Jesus was eating with sinners that was it! They saw red right away. They were so possessed with suspicion and driven by pride that they just can’t stomach this.
Now let me highlight an important lesson very quickly. Don’t you admire Levi’s witnessing technique here? He invites his friends for a meal to introduce them to Jesus. You see, he longs for them to meet Him and make contact with Him. And it happens in the context of hospitality.
Isn’t that a wonderful pattern for us to take on board.
Alright, here’s Jesus in the presence of these tax collectors and sinners. And of course, it really riled the religious leaders.
BUT Jesus was prepared for that. Misunderstood, misrepresented and mistreated even, BUT still He put Himself in amongst these sinners.
He didn’t withdraw or opt out or shut Himself away somewhere. He didn’t keep everyone at arms-length just in case He got contaminated. No. He engaged people. Very much so. He never compromised as we’ll see in just a second, BUT still He engaged people.
Ok, No ‘no go’ areas with Jesus. He does something unbelievable and unthinkable.
Lastly, SOMETHING UNPALATABLE.
Now I want you to notice what Jesus says to these leaders. He doesn’t beat about the bush or water things down or tickle their ears or try to be politically correct. NO! He’s tender BUT He’s also extremely truthful.
Verse 17. “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Please underline the fact that Jesus isn’t afraid to use the S word and the R word. He talks about sin and repentance.
Listen. Whenever we present the Gospel, we always need to be truthful. Hard though that is at times. We must gulp and go for it.
Jesus was truthful.
Now then, can you imagine the reaction? They’re tut tutting about these SINNERS. And from no-where, Jesus takes the rug out from under them. He pulls no punches.
“I’ve come not for the righteous BUT to sinners. Not you, BUT them. If you think you’re alright. If you think you’re spiritually healthy. If you think you’re fine you’ll never come to Me. BUT if you see yourself in need, if you see yourself to be spiritually sick, if you see yourself a sinner, you’ll run to ME. And when you run to Me I’ll be here waiting.”
Listen. Do you realise that you were made by God and made for God and until you have a relationship with God, there’s a vacuum inside that nothing and no-one else can fill. And when you feel your emptiness, then you’ll find that Jesus is just exactly for you. He’s the missing piece. Can I invite you, to come by faith to Jesus Christ and ask Him to take charge? Trust Him as the Saviour of your soul and make Him Lord of your life. And then, Levi’s story will be your story.
Something Unbelievable … He invites a tax collector to join His discipleship team. Something Unthinkable … He sits down and eats and makes friends with sinners. Something Unpalatable … He calls on us to acknowledge our sin and repent of our sin.