Summary
JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More calls a tax collectorTax collectors, sometimes called publicans, were unpopular because they were thought to be greedy and unscrupulous. Jesus, however, not only ate with tax collectors but also treated them sympathetically. The fact that he favored such tax collectors as Zacchaeus and Matthew annoyed many pious persons. ... More to be his discipleA disciple is a person who accepts and follows the pronouncements of a teacher. Jesus chose twelve disciples (also called "apostles" in some of the Gospels) to follow him and bear witness to his message Anyone who (like them) follows Jesus is engaged in Christian... More and the resulting party offends the Pharisees.
Analysis
The Roman system of colonization in Judaea required the cooperation of part of the population. Judaea was not an important province to the Romans. Even in provinces closer to Rome, the Romans generally did not have enough troops or administrators to handle minor matters such as the collection of village taxes. Instead, they recruited Judeans to the role. These tax-collectors occupied a strained position in society. Some saw them as traitors and they were often branded as dishonest and extortionary. The latter came about because they were reputed to acquire wealth by extracting more taxes than necessary from their fellow villagers. This reputation makes it all the more surprising that Jesus selected MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus' 12 disciples. More as one of his followers.
In contrast to the scribeA scribe is a person paid to write books or documents by hand. In Jesus' time, scribes were credentialed interpreters of Jewish law. Scribes in the New Testament, along with the elders and chief priests, are among Jesus' most committed opponents, although on one occasion... More who made the bold claim to follow Jesus, but who then falls out of the narrative, Matthew not only follows Jesus, but then throws him a party to celebrate. Naturally, as a tax collector, Matthew invites other tax collectors and a general collection of sinners to join in. This offends the Pharisees, who were not religious hypocrites. The Pharisees were concerned with the well-being of their fellow Judeans. They opposed Roman oppression and sought to guard their religious heritage against the intrusion of colonial culture. Jesus’ response acknowledges their concern. He agrees that the tax collectors and sinners are sick and in need of healing. But Jesus does not stop there; he reminds the Pharisees that God has called them to show mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More and that they are in danger of getting consumed by their own quest for righteousness.
