I Have Come to Call Sinners

Matthew 9:9-13

After Jesus healed a paralyzed man in Capernaum, He passed by a tax collector’s booth and saw Matthew, the tax collector, sitting there. Jesus said to him:

“Follow me.”

Without hesitation, Matthew stood up and followed Jesus. In honor of Jesus, Matthew hosted a banquet at his house, attended by tax collectors and sinners. Seeing this, the Pharisees questioned Jesus’ disciples:

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus heard this and replied:

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Jews did not treat tax collectors well; these were individuals who collected taxes from the Jews to give to the Romans. Tax collectors were considered sinners and were despised by everyone. Despite this, Jesus dined with them, those considered contemptible and despicable. Jesus knew that many would criticize Him, but He stayed with them to call sinners and lead them to repentance.

God, who is pure and blameless, endured all the scorn on this earth because He stayed with sinners. To save us, He came in the likeness of a sinner and bore the suffering that should have been ours. This sacrificial act reveals the presence of God the Father and God the Mother, who are with us always.