The call of Matthew in verses 9-13 and the question about fasting in verses 14 and 15 seem to have little logical connection to one another. However, there is a common element. In verse 11 the Pharisees ask Jesus, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And in verse 14 the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Both of these questions flow out of a Judaism which became obsessed with traditions about eating. Eating with sinners was a new taboo because of a tradition of saying “Common Grace.” They reasoned, you can’t pray with sinners and therefore you shouldn’t eat with them. And although Jesus fasted and encouraged fasting, he also made certain exceptions during the celebratory season of his earthly ministry. These questions drive the narrative and reveal the fault lines that will become seismic as we move through this gospel. In allowing themselves to be consumed with such traditions, the Pharisees lost the heart of God’s compassion for sinners. Jesus called sinners like Matthew. He ate with sinners, and He died for sinners. Most importantly, He transformed sinners. But just as the Scribes had no word of encouragement or hope for the paralytic that we looked at last week, they had nothing to offer Matthew and his friends but condemnation and shunning. This text calls upon us to carefully evaluate whether our religious traditions create a “Welcome” mat for sinners or a “No Trespassing” sign.

2. The Call of Matthew/
Questions about
Fasting
Matthew 9:9-15

3. Unique Contributions
Matthew
• Matthew
• Jesus says, “Go
and learn what
this means, I
desire mercy
and not
sacrifice…”
Mark
• Levi the son of
Alphaeus.
• Emphasizes the
crowds that
followed Jesus.
• in Matthew’s
house
Luke
•Levi
•Tells us Levi “left
everything.”
•Refers to party
in Matthew’s
house as “a
great feast”.

4. Common Elements
• In all 3 synoptic gospels the Call of Matthew
immediately follows the healing of the
paralytic.
•All include the fact that the Pharisees
indirectly criticize Jesus to His disciples.
•All include Jesus’ words “I have come not to
call the righteous, but sinners.”

5. First Point
The Call of
Matthew
Matthew 9:9-13

6. Matthew’s Brother?
2 The names of the twelve apostles are
these: first, Simon, who is called Peter,
and Andrew his brother; James the son
of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip
and Bartholomew; Thomas and
Matthew the tax collector; James the
son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot,
who betrayed him. (Matthew 10)
And as he
passed by, he
saw Levi the
son of
Alphaeus
sitting at the tax
booth, and he
said to him,
“Follow me…”
Mark 2:14

7. Michael Green
“Unlike some church people in many
parts of the world, Jesus was totally
relaxed in the presence of ‘sinners’ and
outsiders of every kind. They loved to be
with him. He was so attractive, such
good company. When the Pharisees saw
this they were scandalized.”

8. For I desire steadfast love and
not sacrifice, the knowledge of
God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:4
Go and Learn what this
means…

9. I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners.
•Points to Jesus’ pre-
existence.

10. I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners.
•Points to Jesus’ pre-existence.
•Points to Jesus’ purpose.

11. Second Point
Questions About
Fasting
Matthew 9:14-15

12. Key Question
Why are the disciples of
John Critical of Jesus?

13. οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος
Hoi huyoi tou numphōnos
The sons of the
bridal hall
Wedding Guests

14. Ecclesiastes 3
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for
every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born,
and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to
pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a
time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to
build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to
laugh; a time to mourn, and a time
to dance;

15. Application
1.Be careful of mournful
religion.

16. Application
1.Be careful of mournful religion.
2.Be careful of mob
psychology.