Loving Tax Collectors

Luke 5:30-32

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

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Please add verse 32 of this chapter to the "to-do list" we discussed previously. Here we find that part of Jesus' mission is to call the sick (sinners) to be healed (via repentance). This fits well with Luke 4 and the humble descriptions of those who would receive the blessings Jesus came to give. It is apparent that the religious leaders were surprised by this ministry, even though Isaiah had foretold that the messiah would have this very mission as his aim.

Chapter five describes four types of people that are representative of the "sick" who need Jesus' healing ministry: the fishermen, a leper, a paralytic, and a tax collector. The first three may be more familiar to the humble category, and Jesus' work among them is not immediately questioned. But, when he calls Levi the tax collector, and subsequently eats in his home with a whole collection of his co-workers, it is then that Jesus is openly questioned.

So, what's so radical about befriending a tax collector? It seems that men in this role were generally unpopular in this time and place, probably because they were employees of the Roman government and were the most direct representatives of that foreign power in their midst. The Jews had to pay their taxes to these men directly, which was particularly insulting to the religious leaders. The Pharisees were in fact expecting a messiah who would be a political figure - one who would overthrow the Roman oppressors, not embrace their bureaucrats and share a meal in their home!

But Jesus rightly viewed Levi for who he really was - a man made in the image of God, but in desperate need of a renewed relationship with his Maker. He was among the sick who needed a physician (I'm sure Dr. Luke was a big fan of this metaphor). Notice that Jesus does not condemn the office of tax collector. Note also from chapter 3 that the Roman soldiers who sought out John the Baptist were likewise not told to leave their government jobs, as if they were inherently unholy or displeasing to God. By referring to Levi as "sick" Jesus is describing a universal spiritual condition, but one that only few recognize in themselves.

I pray that no matter my paycheck or status or reputation in life, that I never forget my utter dependence on my gracious savior, who came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous. I pray further that I would have the same eyes to see my neighbors in the same way, and not unwittingly fall into the judgmental elitism of the Pharisees, who thought that God's favor was for a select few. Give me a heart to love the tax collectors in my life. Amen.