THE JESUS MINISTRY

As Jesus entered the elaborate decorated home of Levi, he couldn’t help but notice the well-dressed pious priests who were already seated at the fully dressed dinner table, which Levi prepared in honor of Christ. This was no ordinary dinner, nor was it a simple family meal with a few invited guests. No, this was an all out, to the hilt, great feast. Luke records, “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them” (Luke 5:29).
Jesus was amazed to see so many Gentiles present at a Jewish feast. Of course, they were referred to as “Publicans” by the Jewish hierarchy in public, but sinners in private. Sinners for dinner was the price Pharisees had to pay in order to gain privileges from the Roman Government, who by the way was in charge of things those days. Jesus soon learned that it was not uncommon to witness Publicans and Pharisees together over elaborate dinners. Business only, you see, in hopes to gain more political power within the Jewish infrastructure that Rome set up. Even though Pharisees and Publicans were together at the same feast, it did not mean they liked each other. The Scribes especially harbored a disdain for these Gentile rulers, who because of them the Scribes’ Hebraic duties were hindered.
The scribes and Pharisees were not well respected by the Jewish community, due to their hypocritical nature. The compromising characters gained the Jewish leaders little respect in Rome except for a few hired spies and conspirators. The Pharisees made no real change, or difference with the populous. All they had to offer was a pious prayer in the market place, or a pretentious presentation of religion among the people. Oh yes, these Pharisees mastered the art of performing their rites, but couldn’t seem to do what was right in regard to justice, judgment or mercy.
Jesus walked over to the table, at Levi’s bidding, and passed the proposed seat prepared for him. He smiled as he greeted the many publicans and their friends. Striking up a conversation with them, one publican moved over to make room for Jesus. He wasted no time telling these Gentiles about the prophecies of Isaiah, how that “the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isa 60:3). You could see these Publicans lean over the table, straining to hear every word, while the Pharisees and Scribes fumed. Levi gazed back and forth at Jesus and the Pharisees, noticing the rising disgust of the Scribes.
One Scribe got up from the table and found one of Jesus’ disciples and began to complain. Soon a Pharisee or two joined in with a complaint. Suddenly, the Pharisees and Scribes were murmuring against Jesus to His disciples, saying, “Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:30). It didn’t take a prophet to see that the traditions of the Pharisees were not working to reconcile the world back to God. Jesus’ ministry centered first around the lost and hurting. Being excused from the table, Jesus walked right into the controversial debate and said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

© By Dr Tim McClure
(From Beyond Church Walls, 2011, Truth Publication)
www.beyondchurchwalls.com (coming)