Proper 5 - June 8, 2008

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

http://www.zionfriedheim.org/

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838
June 8, 2008
Proper 5

Matthew 9:10-13
‘Jesus- the man for sinners’

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple and eat with “sinners.” The calling of a despised outcast, a tax collector by the name of Matthew, provides the setting for Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who criticize him for his fellowship with publicans and sinners. His answer indicates that God wants mercy to be shown rather than the keeping of ceremonial observances. As God’s Son, accordingly he felt his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condemn the morally sick but came to them as a physician to heal them. Let us pray to the Lord…

“O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers, and, because in the weakness of our moral nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments, we may please you in will and deed.”

Introduction: Jesus Christ is without question the man for sinners. It was upsetting to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day that Jesus would be friendly with the worst sinners of the day, publicans. He was not only friendly, but he attracted them and even shared a meal with them. He became known as a friend of publicans, prostitutes, and other notorious sinners.

What does a good man have in common with a bad man? They have different values, goals, and understandings of life. This unusual behavior of a good man says something about man and God.

Jesus’ association with sinners says something about —

1. Man the sinner — v. 12.
A. The sinner is sick and needs a divine physician to heal him. Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple and eat with “sinners.” The calling of a despised outcast, a tax collector by the name of Matthew, provides the setting for Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who criticize him for his fellowship with publicans and sinners. His answer indicates that God wants mercy to be shown rather than the keeping of ceremonial observances. As God’s Son, accordingly he felt his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condemn the morally sick but came to them as a physician to heal them.

B. To save is to heal, to be made whole. Jesus is doing something that “good” people would avoid doing. We teach children to avoid bad company because they could easily be influenced to engage in evil deeds. It is a reasonable question asked of the disciples by the Pharisees: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” According to the text, the disciples had no answer. Jesus answered for them. It is a question we need to ask ourselves as Christians: Why do we (or do we?) associate with the criminal element of society? It is a fact that generally we avoid contact with lawbreakers. Maybe we as Christians should mingle with them.

2. Christ the Savior — v. 13.
A. God in Christ shows mercy to sinners. Jesus eats with sinners (v. 10). What does it say theologically that Jesus, Son of God, eats with publicans and sinners? What does it say about the nature of God? Does it not say that God is one of mercy for the disobedient and rebellious? Does it not say it is the will of God to have every person go to heaven and not to hell? That God’s mercy is extended prior to his justice? To share a meal is to accept those invited to the table. Does this mean that God accepts sinners even before they repent?

B. The self-righteous feel no need of Christ because they have no sense of sin. There is an obligation to follow suit (v. 13). If God in Christ shows mercy to sinners as demonstrated by Christ’s call to Matthew and eating with sinners, then God’s children are expected to do the same. The Pharisees were not doing this; they looked at sinners in judgment and criticized Jesus for his friendliness to sinners. The religious people were self-righteous and thus just as great sinners as the publicans. The religious Pharisees were more interested in making religious sacrifices than in loving the people who were in need of mercy.

C. The self-righteous are content with their religious observances and overlook their responsibility to be like Christ — merciful. They shall receive their reward. Inasmuch as you did not do this to the least of these, you did not do it unto Me.

Conclusion: A follower of Christ does not choose to follow, but is chosen. Christ came to Matthew where he was — at the infamous business of collecting taxes for the Roman conquerors and getting rich on the side by demanding more taxes than the law required. It is a sign of Christ’s love for the sinner and his vision of a person’s potential. Each Christian receives a call to follow Christ. Is this the case in today’s world? If so, how does the call come? The call comes wherever and whenever the gospel is proclaimed. The gospel brings the Spirit who calls, enlightens, and gathers people into the kingdom of God.