Jesus Eats with Sinners

Bible Study Lessons from Mark 2:13-17

 

14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth.

 

'Follow me,' Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

 

15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

 

16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the 'sinners' and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?

 

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"

Jesus is eating with the sinners at the home of Levi

Who Follows Christ?

Jesus shows in this message that salvation is not only for those who are "churched" but is available to anyone who seeks him; even "sinners". We have to be careful not to judge at first glimpse and to reach out to those who desperately need Jesus' love.

Prayer

And, above all, we need to pray for those who do not know Christ. Pray that God will place those people who need him in front of us in our daily lives. We only need to use the opportunity to witness to those God sends to us.

According to Jesus, our job as Christians is to ..

1. Love God

2. Love Each Other

and...

3. Make New Disciples

How Do We Share Christ Everyday?

As stated in the lesson, we need to make an effort to show His love by what we do and who we are when in the presence of those who have not yet accepted God.

I am as guilty of this neglect as you may be but Jesus wants everyone to have a chance to come to him, be forgiven of sin, and live eternally in heaven with him.

 

Too many times we look at outward appearance or what a person has done in the past. I pray that you and I can take steps in overcoming this bias so that more people will know Christ. That is our job.

 

Love in Christ

- Bob

Mark 1:12-13 - Jesus Can be Tempted by Satan Too!