Today’s Passage: Mark 2:13-17

My dad’s behavior was legendary; at least with his kids and grandkids. He had this way where he could embarrass us. 

He would talk to anyone, any stranger. For example, when we were on vacation it would shock us when he would effortlessly strike up a conversation with a completely unknown person. We braced for what we knew would ultimately happen; the conversation would turn to us. Mortifying when you are 13 years old.

His ease left us uneasy.

Enter Jesus. Maybe my dad took lessons from Him. After all, Jesus did go and invite a tax collector to join His movement, and to boot, He hung out with a bunch of them at “his house”. I wonder, was that Jesus’ or Levi’s house? Either way, it is shocking.

Like my dad, Jesus did this sort of thing in public, in plain sight of the crowds.

While my dad’s behavior was a bit humorous to people, especially when they saw our reaction, Jesus’ behavior was no laughing matter to the so-called religious of the day.  

Consider, tax collectors worked for the Roman government. In this location that would mean working for Herod Antipas. A brute by any measure. And beyond having a cruel boss, these tax collectors took more money than the government required. Extortion was how they paid themselves.

Picture Jesus meeting Levi. Did Levi have a booth? Were there piles of money in plain sight? How about an account book? Then of course there is the dinner with “tax collectors and sinners”. 

Jesus’ actions are more than embarrassing, at a fundamental level they are rather confusing. His behavior is a living example of how two huge questions of life are answered. 

1. Who is it that God can love? Is it only those who are already righteous, or can/does God love everyone?

2. We are called to love God (one of the oldest commandments of the Bible). Does this mean we are to love like God loves? If yes, then does this mean we are to love tax-collectors and sinners?  

Just as my father’s talking to a random stranger was at first something we would observe, it quickly became personal when he spoke about us. So too, this passage for the religious people following Jesus. It has become rather personal. 

It is not just personal in the past tense. It is rather personal for me, a so-called religious person.

As a follower of Jesus, it is easier to sit apart. It is easier to work on my holiness in my own little vacuum, isolated and away from others. 

Just like my dad, Jesus shocks me. Jesus draws me from spectator to perhaps reluctant participant. On the one hand, His teaching and miracles loudly proclaim that He is the “Beloved Son”. On the other hand, His behavior, if I follow, brings me into contact with people I would rather not get involved with. 

Jesus calls us to engage those around us, even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Who has Jesus put in your path to engage?