tax collectors and sinners

Good morning all,
People have probably always complained about paying taxes, but in Jesus' time taxes were a particularly hot topic. Palestine was ruled by Rome, which meant the Jewish population was resentful because they didn't have the independence they wanted. That was both a political and a religious issues since the land was a gift from God, so foreign occupation was perhaps harder for them than for many of the other groups that made up the Roman Empire. On top of that, Rome's rule was extended geographically and challenged militarily. As a result taxes were high and economic opportunity not always in step with them. The Romans hired Jews to collect taxes for them in Palestine. In general, tax collectors made their living by collecting a bit more than they had to. So for the Jewish population at large Roman rule was oppressive, taxes an almost unmanageable burden, and the people who collected them not only corrupt but even traitors to their religion and people.

So here comes Jesus calling a tax collector to be his disciple and accepting an invitation to eat at his house with a house-full of other tax collectors and "sinners." Maybe we can understand the Pharisees' indignation. Jesus doesn't deny that these folks are morally challenged. Instead he responds that his special calling is to heal the spiritually ill, to call sinners to repentance. Jesus still especially seeks out the outsiders: the morally questionable, the oppressed, the oppressors. It's not for us to look down at the strange collection of people Jesus calls. Instead we're called to be grateful that Christ has called us and to look to the margins for our ministry.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 5:27-32

27After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28And he got up, left everything, and followed him. 29Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”