Later,
Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of
Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the
Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus'
disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered
them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to
call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are
sinners and need to repent." Luke
5:29-32
Invite Jesus to a Banquet at your home.
Levi did--along with many other people.
Jesus and His disciples were feasting at the
Richland Naz Church Last Supper drama.
Later,
Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with
many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of
this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who
were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked
his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard
this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I
have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know
they are sinners." Mark
2:15-17
Later,
Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along
with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees
saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such
scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a
doctor—sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning
of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have
come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they
are sinners." Matthew
9:10-13
Meditate.
Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is
saying.
Scum!? Those righteous Pharisees considered the tax collectors and others to be scum. But who needed a doctor?
Jesus said…Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. Do
you need a doctor? What kind of doctor? A physician to heal your body? A
psychologist for your mental stability? Or a specialist—like Jesus—for
your spiritual health?
Jesus
was the great physician. He could and did it all. He healed the blind and lame
(Matthew 15:30), cured the demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16), and offered eternal
life to everyone who believes (John 5:24). Do you need a doctor…or do you need
more of Jesus in your life? How do you get more of Jesus? Pray that the Holy
Spirit will reveal more of Jesus and anoint your life with a deeper
understanding. Then read God’s Word expecting to receive a blessing, wisdom, and
understanding. Does that seem too simple to do? Well, if you seek Jesus with all
of your heart, you will find Him.
But from there you will seek
the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your
heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have
come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and
listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not
fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He
swore to them.
Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NASB
Seek the LORD while you can find
him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah
55:6 NLT
What a
great promise…
I love those who love me; and those
who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs
8:17 NASB
Claim
that promise…seek the Lord and find Him. He is worth the search…eternally worth
it! And when you find Him…like a treasure…share Him with others. Job’s friend
counseled him…
If I were you, I would go to God
and present my case to him. He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.
Job 5:8-9
God is
still in the miracle business. He still loves and cares about people. Seek Him
while you can find Him.
What do you learn from Jesus in this passage?
Prayer
– Lord God, I treasure that You have allowed me to “find” You…to see You in all
that I do. You provide me with everything I need and more…from parking places,
warm clothes during the cold winter, a comfortable home, and a loving family. I
have it all…and You. I look forward to seeing You face to face one day….and
throughout eternity. Please continue to bless me, my family and friends, and all
who read this blog…and especially search for You in Your Word today.
Verse
of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you
keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
Portions recycled from 2018, Banquet With The King blog
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the
(NASB®) New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995,
2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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