Day 25

This 6th “fishing trip” is impressive and a bit astonishing. This guy is living in Capernaum– He is well-off, well-dressed has it all. He is, in fact, the son of the powerful Alphas and commissioned, trusted, and protected by Rome to collect taxes from the people of Israel. He may have been following Jesus from afar and weighing carefully the call to leave everything and follow. But there is so much to leave– the house, the money, the job, the lifestyle. If he could only know for sure that Jesus could give him what he wants most. Let’s see!

Read Luke 5:27-39; Matthew 9:9-17; Mark 2:12-22

Where is Jesus “fishing”?

What do we know about tax collectors?

How do you visualize this banquet?

What were Jesus’ disciples learning?

Once again, This “fishing trip” is closely tied to the one we just saw yesterday. It would not surprise me to discover that Matthew was one of the people with his face pressed up against the window as Jesus confronted the unbelief of the religious crowd. I think maybe Matthew didn’t need anything. He had everything the world of his day had to offer. HE probably had a large house. Matthew what the clothes, the money, the house, the horse, the deluxe chariot– everything anyone could want. Yet, there was one thing he did not possess. It is what every wealthy person who does not have Jesus seeks. He did not have forgiveness of sins. Yet, as he pressed his ear that day against the window, he heard and saw Jesus forgive sins and prove it with a supernatural miracle.

Jesus begins walking the streets of Capernaum, recognizes Matthew, and says, “Follow me!” The hated tax collector had never heard any sweeter words. He was a traitor to his people, a sellout to the enemy–Rome. He was despised and rejected; his only friend was other tax collectors and sinners. Wow!

What an act of love, what an extension of grace, what a risk of reputation. Jesus would get branded from this event and His time in Matthew’s house. Those who hated Jesus used this opportunity to defame Him and even started a saying about Him. It is found a few chapters later in Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34. They called Jesus “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” What they meant as a slam, Jesus wore as a badge.

When I first came to Leesburg about 6.5 years ago, I remember hearing a slur about Leesburg. I can’t remember who told me, but I know it was said by “church people” about people who were not “church people.” The church people look a certain way, dress a certain way, and present themselves a certain way. And the non-church people are those that didn’t fit in at some churches because they didn’t look a certain way, dress a certain way, and act a certain way.

The slur was: “Go to Leesburg; they’ll take anyone.”

Praise God for that!  We now wear what was intended as a slur as a badge of honor. Yes, we’ll take anyone because God has accepted me, and I know I wasn’t worthy. I wasn’t unique. I brought nothing to the table. Neither did you! Because I know the type of person I am and the type of person you are, I’m comfortable with being a church that’ll “take anyone.”


How about you? Is anyone calling you a friend of sinners? Or do you stay so far away from the tax collectors and sinners in your life for fear that they might tarnish your squeaky-clean reputation? Be careful whose reputation you are guarding. Jesus loved showing himself as a friend of sinners. That is why he can be your friend and mine. He humbled Himself, taking on the form of a human. I can’t even fathom the depth of humility and how low Jesus stooped to come to this sin-soaked world and save many sinners and tax collectors. Oh, if only sinners would see enough of Jesus in me to call me their friend– not because I partake in their sin, but because I love them and embrace them despite their sin. Remember that even though Jesus hung out with the sinners of His day, he never fell into their sins (Heb.4:15). Be careful that as you bring Jesus to the sinners of the world, they don’t draw you into their sins. Be wise, stay closely connected to Jesus, and depend on Him for wisdom and discernment as you reach out to a lost and dying world.

Matthew came to Jesus and then threw a party for Jesus and invited his friends who needed to meet Jesus!

Don’t be surprised if, after your “fishing trip,” one of the people who come to know Jesus wants to share Jesus with their friends and family enthusiastically. They may even want your help. How exciting!

Be ready to follow up with those who will come to Jesus. Don’t blow this opportunity. You will never know what It feels like to fish for men until you do it. It is a waste of time to talk about fishing for men and not do it. Don’t be scared, be strong and courageous and call people to “come and see” to check out Jesus.

This is your chance to see God’s power in action as you step out on faith and share the Good News. Spend some time praying together for your follow-up with those who will believe.

Remember, the fields are ready for the harvest (John 4:35). Throw out the next and experience the thrill of catching men/women for Jesus.