Mark 2:13-17Mark 2:13-17 13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.

13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.

Mark 2:13-17Mark 2:13-1714As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

14As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

Mark 2:13-17Mark 2:13-17 15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

Mark 2:13-17Mark 2:13-1716When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Mark 2:13-17Mark 2:13-17 17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Critics And The Critical

Mark 2:13-17

Larry Cline – Hardin Valley Church of Christ – 8/10/2014

Mark 2:13-1713And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. 14As He passed by, He saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him.

15And it happened that He was reclining [at the table] in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors,

they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" 17And hearing [this], Jesus said to them, "[It is] not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Conflicts He claimed to forgive sins. His attitude toward sinners.

Especially tax collectors! wealthy hated seen as traitors

If you were a tax collector you were kicked out of the synagogue, couldn’t be a witness in court and

were the last person anyone would expect to abandon your

job and follow anybody.

Another untouchable

His invitation - “Follow Me”

Why did He want him?

Jesus saw in Levi somethingno one else could see.

No one gave up more to follow Jesus than Levi did. Levi - Matthew (gift of God)

Matthew threw a banquet to honor Jesus...

Who would come?

Significance of eating with someone in that culture.

It was a sign of approval and acceptance - it showed

friendship and affirmation and was not done lightly.

Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and

drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”

The problem is not just that He is with them - He seems to be enjoying Himself.

Jesus hears the criticism - The explanation -

“I am a doctor. It’s not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick.”

He has more concern about people than about His

reputation... He doesn’t see the dinner companions as

rejects but as patients.

Jesus as the “Great Physician”1. He comes to you.2. He always makes the proper

diagnosis - SIN!3. He prescribes the perfect cure -

knows what to do.4. He pays the bill.

Why are so many still sick? Three possibilities

1. Some don’t know the Dr. is available.

2. A lot of people don’t trust Jesus.3. A lot of people don’t think they

need a Dr.

The implication – Separation from sin must

not become isolation from sinners.

(I Cor. 5:9-11)

Galatians 6:1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Let’s talk about the call of discipleship:

First – not a call to be insulated from the critical, (sick sinners).

We don’t agree with Pharisees intellectually,

but isn’t it possible that we can become Pharisees practically?

Isn’t there any place a sinner can go?

We have to take away labels and see patients instead of stereotypes.

Second - not a call to be intimidated by critics. Some people think a good leader or

a good church is one that never upsets anybody.

Jesus was never that kind of person.

“Just remember my son, there is no city in the

world who has created a statue to a critic.”

- Gene Sabilyish

So What?1. Thank God for the Great Physician.2. Pray for our hearts that we would love

sick folks more than our comfort.3. Repent of our self-righteous assessment

of our health.4. Realize only Jesus can make anyone well.

Let’s be determined to break down walls & barriers so sick folks can get to Him.