As Jesus continues on He sees Matthew sitting at a tax collector’s booth. He approaches him and says, “Follow Me.” So Matthew does just that. Two words…life changing words…these words have been spoken to you and I as well.
While Jesus is having dinner with Matthew, other tax collectors and sinners gather around as well. While this is going on, the Pharisees begin questioning Jesus’ disciples on why He would eat with sinners. The outcasts…the one’s nobody else would associate with, were starving for attention. Jesus shows up and they just gravitate to Him because He sees them.
Jesus, hearing what the Pharisees were asking, responded by saying that it’s not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. He then quotes this passage:
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6
He finishes by saying that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Jesus brings hope to the lowliest of people here. He sees them as redeemable when no one else would. He acknowledges their life when no one else would. Today, who are the lowliest? Who are the ones that need seen…heard…accepted? As Christians, these are who we should be pursuing. Sometimes Christians have treated church as a social club, only speaking with each other. HOW WRONG WE HAVE BEEN. Go be the church…go let someone know today that they are seen…they are heard. Why? Because that’s exactly what Jesus has done for you as well.
A Journey With Jesus 