Table Time
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
ESV
Table Time
(Matt 9:10-13)
Intro:
A. I have been on many diets in my life, but I have never counted calories, fat grams, carbs or sugar on Thanksgiving. When I sit down to that particular meal, and others, but especially Thanksgiving dinner, I am not on a diet.
B. There is something about gathering around a table that is different than talking to someone before/after worship in the foyer or even at fellowship dinners downstairs. Something about a smaller group dinner brings out the willingness to talk, share and experience life together in a way that doesn’t happen in many other places or situations.
C. Last week we finished talking about Psalm 23 and how the Lord prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. There are several tables mentioned in the Bible. But to think that God prepares a table for you and me and does so in front of our enemies is a great joy for me. My God so values me, protects me and affirms me, that my enemies have power when I sit at God’s banquet table.
D. This morning I want to take where we were last week, and look at a different table where Jesus dined and allow what he teaches to lead me forward this week.
I. The Man Who Hosted A Party
A. READ Matt. 9:9. I love this text for many reasons, but one is Matthew writes about himself in the third person. He is writing the story of Jesus and even though he is a part of it, he keeps the focus on Jesus. The main point is he was by profession a tax-collector.
B. It is important to remember that his given name was Levi, as recorded by Mark and Luke. It maybe he was from the tribe of Levi and it could be that his family was part of the priesthood. No matter what his tribe and family were, his profession of being a tax collector was not what his parents desired.
C. His friends were not the great Jewish religious leaders of his day. In fact, his friends were other tax collectors – people others loved to hate. People who even the “common” Jews could look down on. So I find it interesting that Jesus chooses a tax collector to be a part of his inner circle. But the real story here is Jesus, not Matthew.
II. Table Time
A. READ Matt. 9:10. I like to shop discount stores or second hand stores. In some case, not all, there is a policy that certain items are not able to be returned for credit. Most of those are clearly marked, “As Is.” As Is, is the sign for “buyer beware.” There is a flaw in this product – it might be small and something you could live with, or might be glaring and something you definitely cannot live with. The problem is while I know I am buying “As Is” I have to look it over very carefully to make sure I am satisfied with my item.
B. The truth is, people are “As Is.” By that, I mean we all have flaws. God sadly states, “There is no one righteous, no not one.” We are all slightly irregular, As Is, imperfect, damaged goods. But Jesus reclined at a table knowing how flawed they were. Jesus wants to dine at my table, knowing how imperfect I am.
C. In the middle of this party come those who want to tell you that a party is a bad thing. READ verse 11. I don’t know if this was an outdoor party or how these people knew what was going on or how they managed to get to the disciples instead of right to Jesus, but maybe the desired effect was to get the disciples upset with Jesus.
D. The question purposed by the Pharisees and scribes to the disciples of Jesus is why this guy? I bet they weren’t the only ones who questioned that. One of the disciples is called Simon the Zealot. They were zealous concerning the taxation of Rome, so my guess it took some time for these two apostles to become friends. This wasn’t, “Why are YOU…” This was why does the one you follow, “your teacher,” eat with people YOU don’t like either? It seems underhanded to me.
III. Go and Learn
A. Jesus is somehow aware of what the Pharisees are saying to the disciples we come to the verses we read as a congregation this morning (READ Matt. 9:12-13).
B. Jesus makes two statements that are tied together. The first could be taken as a compliment. I believe Jesus is simply stating that they believe they are not spiritually sick so there is no need for them to see a spiritual doctor. We know that they were spiritually blind and sick, but they don’t see themselves that way.
C. It’s similar to what Jesus told the church in Laodicea in Rev. 3:17 where they said they were rich, prospered and in need of nothing. But to that Jesus said, “not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.” Just because someone sees himself/herself as “spiritually well” doesn’t mean they don’t need a physician, it just means they won’t go to a doctor because they don’t believe they are sick.
D. In our text, Jesus told the Pharisees, “Go and learn what it means, ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.’” This line is taken from the Septuagint version of Hosea 6:6. Listen to Hos. 6:4-6. I understand that many times our writers, guided by the Holy Spirit chose to quote from the Septuagint more than the Hebrew text. But the context of mercy in Greek is connected to the idea of steadfast love in the Hebrew.
E. NASB “I delight in loyalty, not sacrifice.” ASV, “I desire goodness.” The idea is that of compassion, mercy, love and how God sees that differently than sacrifice without the heart of those things in our sacrifice.
F. Here is the calling. We, like Jesus, are to show mercy or “steadfast love” to those who need it most. The church needs to have compassion on sinners. We care called upon to share good news. We show love to the ones who deserve it least but need it most. Getting the church excited about collectively showing love to sinful people is not easy.
Conclusion:
A. Go and learn. It is quite a command from the rabbi. He takes us to scripture that presses upon us to get past this feeling of self-greatness, and humble ourselves before the Lord. It is not that sacrifices were bad, but religion without relationship is meaningless.
B. This is a calling to see others through the heart and eyes of Jesus. The elder brother in the story of the prodigal son was not all wrong. He believed his brother squandered the blessing from the father in a sinful way. We know that was true. He believed that he was more righteous because he didn’t run away from home but did all the work. To some degree that is true also, But the father in the story was not about which brother was better, it was about forgiving the brother that repented. It was seeing value in someone that angered him, hurt him and betrayed him.
C. There is a table that is spread for us by God. But not everyone will come to eat of it. Most who don’t, do so because of an unwilling heart. When Jesus tells that story in Luke 14, the original invited guest made excuses to not come to the banquet. The calling went out farther, to the poor, lame, blind to come. Then the calling was made to even more, compelling the come from the remote places. The sad ending was that those who refused to come lost the blessing of the banquet.
D. Go and learn what it means, “I desire mercy (steadfast love) and not sacrifice.” It means all are welcome to come to the table of God, don’t keep yourself from the blessing of the banquet. If we can encourage your walk with the LORD, come as we stand and sing.
Because of Jesus,
Jeffrey Dillinger, minister