Mark 2:13-17, Common English Bible

Tables in the first century were places of radical hospitality.  People of the same culture were normally together breaking bread and conversing.  Then Jesus changes the social reality of the day by crossing into socially unacceptable behaviors by associating with socially unacceptable people.  What is Jesus doing?  What’s his motive?

Jesus goes out of his way to connect with people who are outside of society.  When Jesus calls Levi, he invites him to:

Redirect his life!
As he continued along, he saw Levi, Alphaeus’ son, sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes.  Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”  Levi got up and followed him.”   Mark 2:14

Join the revolution!
When some of the legal experts from among the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why is he eating with sinners and tax collectors?”   Mark 2:16

Remember the cause!
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do.  I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”   Mark 2:17

Hear the WOW, the Words of Wisdom,
“Everyone is called to the table!”