Understanding Misunderstandings

However, just because Matthew was a tax collector, does not mean he was a thief. But the fact that he was a tax collector branded him as one of the bad ones.

Isn’t it amazing how we can take one person and brand a group of people.

• Some can find one bad black person who is ungodly, and some people will brand the whole black race as bad!

• Some can find one bad Latino, and some will brand the whole race of Latinos as bad

• Some can find one hypocrite in the church and brand all Christians as hypocrites.

• Some can find one crooked policeman and they will brand all policemen are as crooked.

• One can find one crooked politician and brand all politicians as crooked.

• One crooked doctor can make all doctors are bad

• Some can find one crooked preacher brand all preachers crooked.

Illus: In December of 2002, the “Hannity and Colmes” show on the Fox News Channel was dealing with the problem of the child molesting Priests that have been exposed. Sean Hannity, who is a Catholic, told another Catholic on the show that the Catholic church has got to expel these bad priests because they make all priest to be child molesters.

Matthew might have been a good tax collector, but he was branded with a bunch of crooked tax collectors!

From all the evidence in the scriptures, Levi was not a crooked tax collector.

WHY DO WE SAY THAT?

Because we do not read anywhere that the Lord required, he make restitution. If you remember, when it came to Zacchaeus who was a crooked tax collector, this is something that is mentioned

But let’s look at this situation with Matthew more closely.

We have a scene where Jesus is walking, and he comes across the tax booth that Matthew is manning. Jesus sees Matthew and tells him to close his office and calls him to follow Him.

WHAT DOES THIS CALLING MEAN?

Does this mean that when you become a Christian you have to quit your job?

No! But for some people, the answer is yes.

Matthew was being called to full-time service with Jesus.

But because Matthew had to leave his job did not mean he would have to forsake his friends.

Instead, Matthew wanted HIS OLD FRIENDS to meet HIS NEW FRIEND THE LORD JESUS!!!

WHAT DID HE DO?

He threw a party.

Look at verse 29, we read, “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.”

WHY DID HE THROW A PARTY?

• To let his friends get to know Jesus

• To celebrate his decision to follow Jesus

What better way to celebrate than to introduce your friends to Jesus!

Illus: A Christian couple in Columbia, S.C. often have a special dinner at their home, and they invite a lost couple to come to their home and enjoy this special dinner with them. And why they are eating this special meal they witness to them about Jesus.

He saved you, wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of your friends were able to experience the gift of salvation?

The religious leaders were taking note of the fact that Jesus was eating and drinking with the sinners and tax collectors.

Look at verse 30, we read, “But the scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?”