HOFC Sermon Archive: Gospel of Mark Part 12: Jesus and the Tax Collector

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

8. A Teacher with Authority

9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew

10. Jesus Cleanses Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

Today is Sunday. March 23^rd, 2025

INTRODUCTION

So we have read of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, his calling of the first four disciples, how three “healing” moments recorded in the Word (Peter’s mother-in-law, the leper, and the paralytic) teach us much about Jesus and His ministry, beyond healing, and more to the fact that Jesus came to “save the lost” through calling them to repentance, and trusting in the gospel.

Today, we will read of Jesus calling another disciple, Levi, also called Matthew. The Tax Collector. Again, I want us to look deeper than Jesus calls a tax collector.

Try to see what lesson the word of God has for us in this situation. Remember, there is a deeper meaning for us.

Jesus, on His mission, is still traveling and healing, preaching and teaching.

Up to this point, He has called Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, James, and his brother John.

In today’s verses, we will gain insight into who is a suitable prospect for discipleship and salvation. We will see that Jesus typically didn’t call the “religiously inclined,” this is a note to us when we serve, not to limit the sharing of the gospel because of our predetermined beliefs or thoughts on who is worthy.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 2:13-17

“And He (Jesus) went out again by the seashore; and the entire crowd was coming to Him, and He was teaching them.

14 And as He passed by, He saw Levi (also called Matthew) the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he stood up and followed Him.

15 And it *happened that as He was reclining at the table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners (non-religious Jews) were dining with Jesus and His disciples. For there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 And when the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they were saying to His disciples, “He is eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners (non-religious Jews)!” 17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “Those who are healthy do not have need for a physician, but only those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

I. THE NARRATIVE

a. Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew), the Tax Collector

i. Teaching by the shores of Galilee

ii. Jesus sees Levi sitting in the tax office (he was at work)

1. He is better known as Matthew, the Apostle and gospel writer

a. Matthew 9:9

b. Matthew 10:3

iii. He was a tax collector, a profession not well-liked in any day

1. Luke 5:27

2. They were viewed as traitors – a Jew working for the Roman government.

3. Also, extortionists – often charging ridiculous fees

4. They were classed together in Jewish society with sinners (non-religious Jews) and harlots.

a. Luke 15:1-2

b. Matthew 21:31-32

iv. Yet, Jesus calls HIM to be a disciple

1. “Follow me” (Mark 2:14)

2. Just as He had said to the others in the previous chapter.

3. Luke 5:28 tells us Matthew “left everything behind, and rose up and began to follow Him.”

Levi, the lowly, distrusted, non-religious man working for the Roman government, was chosen by Jesus to be a disciple.

Would we have seen the same potential in Levi to be a follower of Christ?

b. Levi Hosts a Dinner Party for Jesus

i. We see in the scriptures that Levi gives a great feast in his house for Jesus (Luke 5:29)

ii. And there were many tax collectors and non-religious Jews there (sinners)

iii. The scribes and Pharisees were appalled, as usual.

1. Luke says they began grumbling, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:30

2. How could Jesus eat with traitors and sinners?

iv. Jesus replies, “Those who are healthy do not have need for a physician, but only those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

Jesus reveals to us that He chose Levi (Matthew) BECAUSE he was “sick” or a sinner (non-religious).

Remember, we learned from Jesus healing the leper that just as the leper had a sickness of the body, we, too, have a sickness of the soul.

Jesus tells the Pharisees, “I do not come to call the RIGHTEOUS, but the sinners.”

Who is righteous? Romans 3:10b “…There is none righteous, not even one;”

Anyone who, like the Pharisees and so many other “religious people” who see themselves as righteous, cannot be “healed” by Jesus because they have not yet admitted they are sick.

How many times have you heard a lost person say, “I don’t need Jesus,” or “I don’t need religion or God in my life.”

They see themselves as righteous. It is not until they see their sick (which the commandments of God reveal about man) that they realize they need a physician. And not just any, but the Great Physician, Jesus. Who came, not for the righteous, but the sinners who see and acknowledge their sickness.

II. LESSONS

a. Jesus is looking for sinners (non-religious people)

i. Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus’ purpose is to “seek and save the lost.”

ii. What a great hope for those burdened by the guilt of sin

iii. Who are sick with sin? “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23

iv. But the Great Physician is ready to heal all willing to repent of sin and acknowledge they are sick and need healing.

To those burdened and suffering because of sin, Jesus is looking for you!

b. Friends Offer Great Potential

i. Matthew gives us a great example of being called by Jesus.

1. He responds to the call of Jesus immediately.

2. He then invites coworkers and friends to his home to celebrate

3. He provided the opportunity for them to hear Jesus as well.

ii. Cornelius did the same thing.

1. Acts 10:24 he invited family and friends.

2. Acts 10:33 provided them with an opportunity to hear Peter.

Inviting family and friends for a home bible study is a great way to share the gospel!

c. We are to be “Separate” from the world, not Isolated from it

i. The Bible does teach the principle of separation

1. I Corinthians 15:33-34 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Become righteously sober-minded, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God.”

a. I’ve seen it often. A Christian will spend time with bad company (sometimes a non-religious person, and sometimes they profess God, just like the Sadducees and Pharisees of Jesus’ day.)

b. Spend enough time with them, and they will corrupt you.

c. I have purposely cut ties with overly religious people who are not decent Christians because I do not want to think and act like they do.

d. We are to be separate, not unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

2. However, separation is not isolation.

a. We are not called to be monks and lock ourselves in some tower doing nothing but reading the Bible all day long.

i. We are called to be lights in this world, to take the gospel message to others.

b. Total isolation from sinners would mean we would have to leave this world. (I Corinthians 5:9-10)

3. Jesus and His disciples were willing to eat with sinners, to heal those who were sick, and to spend time with them. Mark 2:15-16

d. Jesus Often Calls the “Busy” to Serve

i. Who has Jesus called to the ministry who was busy at the time of their calling?

1. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, all working the fishing boats and nets at the time.

2. Matthew was working in the tax office.

ii. The Lord does not just call those young or with “time” on their hands.

1. You can go to seminary at any age

2. You can serve in a ministry at any age

If you want something done, ask a busy man to do it. They get things done.

CONCLUSION

This interaction between Jesus and Matthew shows us some very important lessons.

- We are never too sinful to be saved by Jesus

- We are never too busy to serve Jesus

- We must be willing to reach out to those who are lost

- Family, friends, and coworkers

NEXT WEEK: “Part 13: Jesus Questioned about Fasting”

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Thursday, April 3, 2025

Gospel of Mark Part 12: Jesus and the Tax Collector

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