Luke 5:27-32 ~ Those

Paolo Veronese (1528–88) Italian painter famous for paintings such as The Wedding at Cana and Feast in the House of Levi.

Luke 5:27-32

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Judea was place in turmoil. Vast fortunes had been piled up as Rome swept in, Oxford historians said these huge fortunes wouldn't be repeated until 1600 A.D., the middle classes were supporting the Roman tax system. The clash came in Israel as a moral nation being swallowed with Roman favoritism and industry. The appearance of godliness was needed as Israel became just another Roman province.

So what generation are you, where did you grow up and what did your family tell you about the Civil War? Well, put aside your stereotypes, this is what I grew up with: The waaar of Northernnn Aggggressionnn was a terrible thiiing. Your 3rd great grandfather went to Shiloh and fought on the opposite side from his son-in-law. The son-in-law died and your 2nd great grandmother remarried and so you exist. Your other 2nd great grandfather was 10 when the Union Army arrived and confiscated the house. They were fortunate to be allowed to continue to live in the house with the Yankees. His father, James Thomas Elliott was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Rep. James Hinds - who was killed by the KKK. So, my very Southern family has an - almost carpet bagger Congressman. Some of us were Republicans in the South during the waaar. Some of us weren't. One 2nd great grandmother was a completely angry southerner, who probably didn't mind eating the wallpaper paste during the siege of Vicksburg, at age 6, but never forgave the Yankees when her cat was dinner.

One of those. All these labels are complicated, all the above people should hate each other - they fought against each other and they shot at each other, then they married each other.

All the sinner labels are complicated in this passage, as well. The Pharisees are grumbling about Jesus sitting with sinners. Jesus is One of Those who consorts with sinners. ... The Pharisees are not just misguided powerful people who killed the Lord. The Pharisees are run by Herod.... not descendants of Aaron handed down from Moses. Herod picked and chose who would serve at the 2nd Temple. Herod remodeled the Temple with funds the Romans allowed him to profit & collect as King of Judea. Herod's input would have been needed by the Governor of Judea, Pilate, to appoint the tax collectors. Remember who gave Herod criticism for Herod's morality & what happened to him (Matthew 14).

The Levites were not in charge of the Temple in Jesus' day. Levi, in Jesus' day, was a Tax Collector.

Who are those called by Jesus? All of us. Who was forgiven by Jesus? All of us. We are all... one of those.

Mark 3:28

I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them ...

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