"The only ones who take the cure are those who know their need and want to get well." - 365 Devotions
 
Let me introduce you to a man by the name of Matthew. His story is recorded in three of the Gospels, found in the New Testament of the Bible - Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; and Luke 5:27-32.
 
He was employed in the despicable and detestable office of a "publican" - otherwise known as a tax gatherer, a custom-house officer, an exciseman, or a collector of land taxes. He, being a Jew, worked for Rome - probably for Herod Antipas - the tetrarch of Galilee. (The Jewish tax gatherers were despised by their brethren and considered as traitors for they worked for Rome and generally took more than was necessary for their own gain.)
 
"Publicans" were considered to be among the worst of sinners - pagans, if you will. They were known to be very immoral, having no character or scruples whatsoever.
 
On a certain day, it is said that the Lord Jesus was "passing by." He did a very strange thing here.
 
The Gospels tell us that He saw "Matthew" - "Levi, the son of Alphaeus" - "a publican, named Levi" - "sitting at the receipt of custom" and "said unto him, Follow Me."
 
First of all, you may be wondering why this particular tax collector is called "Matthew" in one Gospel and "Levi" in another. The Jews had a common practice of giving one man several names. Hence, "Matthew" is identified as "Levi, the son of Alphaeus."
 
When Jesus saw Matthew, he was "sitting at the receipt of custom" which was the place where the taxes - levied by the Romans - were collected from the Jews. One commentator described it as a tax booth or a toll booth that was set up alongside a road to collect the taxes on the merchandise that was being transported  by the travelers.

As Jesus was passing by, He came across all types of people. He, being a Jew Himself, knew the kind of person that Matthew was. Also, being the very Son of God, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, He also knew the wickedness of this man's heart.
 
Yet, Jesus singled this man out and called him to be one of his disciples.

Would we have chosen someone like Matthew to be one of our followers?
Would we even approach such a pagan and offer him a Gospel tract or the gift of salvation?
 
Oftentimes, the Body of Christ has been guilty of rejecting such "misfits" in society. Some have figured that these type of sinners are too far gone or too foul to even mess with or minister to. Yet, here is the Son of the Living God - the very Savior of the world - bypassing all of the "good," religious folk that day to choose the worst of sinners for one of His disciples.

As the Scriptures continue, the scene changes from the "receipt of custom" to a great feast held for Jesus in Matthew's house, accompanied by "a great company" of "publicans and sinners" - acquaintances of the tax collector.
 
In ancient Israel, it was always an acceptable custom for the table to be considered a place for fellowship as well as a setting for the discussion of spiritual matters. Matthew had both of these concepts in mind when he invited Jesus as His honored guest along with a great number of his ungodly friends. He desired that they, too, would hear the Truth, experience the Grace of God as he did, and have changed lives.
 
We must not overlook one group that also were present at this feast. They were the scribes and the Pharisees - the religious leaders of that day.

Absolutely Not!
 
They murmured to Jesus' disciples, while inquiring -
"Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?"
"Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" 
"How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?"
 
To eat and drink with others denoted familiarity and intimacy.
 
They wondered how such a One Who claimed to be a Great Teacher, Prophet, and the very Son of God could seek the society of such wicked people.
 
Simply because His purpose in reaching the "publicans" or these pagans was not for pleasure or intimate friendship but to show them the way of salvation. Period!
 
The Pharisees had no burden for the lost because they were lost themselves.
They never experienced the Mercy and Grace of God; hence, they had no desire of leading others to do the same.
 
They were proud, conceited, self-righteous, and critical rulers.
They were very strict when it came to avoiding any contact whatsoever with defiling sinners but not strict in avoiding sin itself.   

"They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
 
The first part of this statement happened to be a common proverb of the day. What He was simply saying was that the Physician's proper place is rightfully with the sick. Healthy people have no need of a doctor; only sick ones do.
 
But He also implied that there are some who are sick and know they are, and then there are others who are sick and won't even acknowledge it.
 
The "publicans" were sin-sick and recognized their need for the Sovereign Physician of Souls; whereas, the Pharisees and scribes were also very sick but because of pride, they wouldn't admit it.

There are many church folk who carry themselves in a proud array. They look down upon the scantily-dressed prostitute or the drug-taking gang member. They despise the dirty and stinking street person. They scorn the tattooed or pierced teenager - not realizing that they are in as much desperate, spiritual need as those mentioned. 
 
Or you will find those religious, churchgoers who reject others because they do not wear their denominational label or tag, follow their church traditions, adhere to their religious standards, etc. They are sectarian, arrogant, and spiritually blinded to any concept of the Grace or Mercy of God. 
 
Let me give a personal experience as a further explanation of my point.
 
Years ago, I was preaching on a street corner in a town in North Texas. A car passed by. The couple was beeping the horn in great approval for what I was doing - calling sinners to repentance. Several times, they went around the block with their windows rolled down and yelling out - "Preach it, Sister! Amen and Amen! Glory to God! Hallelujah!"
 
After a short period of time though, I noticed that they parked the car and drew near to where I was ministering. The woman then very rudely interrupted my preaching to ask me a question to see if I met her religious standard of Baptism. When she found out that I didn't fit into her denominational mold, she and her companion began yelling at me - "You, False Prophet! You're going to Hell!"
 
One minute I was encouraged with - "Preach it, Sister!"
The next moment, I was accused of being a False Prophet!

Then we must subject ourselves to some very serious heart scrutiny by asking -
Am I - in any way - in need of the Great Physician of Souls but am too proud to admit it?
Am I the type of person who is so judgmental of others yet I refuse to judge myself?
Can I see everyone else's faults but am indeed blinded to my own?

Jesus is passing by today as He did in the Bible days.
Many people are missing their blessing because they refuse to see their need for the Savior.
 
The needy people's hearts are crying out.
God hears those cries.
Are you one of them?
 
By the way, "Matthew" was the name whereby this disciple was recognized among his acquaintances - the ungodly tax-collectors. And "Matthew" is the name of the first book of the Gospels.
 
God could have changed this disciple's name to Levi or given him a new one so that the first Gospel  would be called by a different name - other than that of a former "publican."
 
But He had a message to convey to His church - every time that they would open up the New Testament to read. That message is - "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

May God Bless His Word.
Connie