In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus calls Levi, also known as Matthew, to follow him. Levi, a tax collector, is a figure despised by many due to his profession.
Despite this, Jesus chooses him, demonstrating his inclusive and transformative approach.
The passage highlights a significant shift in Jesus’ ministry, where people begin to come to him rather than him going to them.
This change signifies the growing impact of his teachings. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of reaching out to those who are marginalized and the transformative power of Jesus’ message.
Video 3 of 6. Mark 2: 1-12 CSB – Eng 101 Oikos University
A call of Levi. Levi is Matthew. Who is Matthew? That’s right.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. The New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Matthew and Levi are the same. Matthew is the Jewish name. Levi is the Greek name.
They are the same person. Jesus went out by the sea. There was a crowd.
How many people are in a crowd? I don’t know. A lot. If there were 46 people, 46 or 72, I don’t know.
A crowd. There were a lot of people. This crowd is important.
Jesus says, I did this. The crowd watched. If Jesus did not, the crowd will say, I saw Jesus.
He did not. We have no did not. The whole crowd was coming to him.
This is important coming to him. Until now, Jesus was going here, and Jesus was going there, and Jesus was going here, and Jesus was going there, but no more. Now, the people come to him.
This is a big change. In the beginning, Jesus is going. Soon, they are coming.
Something changed. Something changed. In my other life, on Tuesday, I come here.
When I am not here, I am a marketing. I do marketing. Marketing is going to evangelism.
What is evangelism? To tell the good news. So I lived in Japan almost 20 years. I lived in Japan to do evangelism.
Every day, we are walking and talking. Every day, we are teaching and trying. Every day, we are making friends, and then one day, I give it to go, and the people started to come.
This is a big change. Come is more powerful. Come is greater than go.
When people come, it is easier to teach than when I go. And now, the crowd is coming to him. Then he begins to teach.
This is a big change for Jesus. Passing by, he saw Levi, the son of Al Fis, sitting at the toll. What is the toll? That’s right.
Taxes. Taxes. Who likes to pay taxes? I love to pay taxes.
Please take more. Take more. Take his.
Take hers. Give more taxes. Nobody likes to pay taxes.
Matthew’s job was to collect taxes. How many understand taxes? The taxes, how much to pay, is very complicated. It’s very difficult.
Should I pay this much? Maybe he should collect ten percent. But, but, but, you are not so smart. So, I will collect it fifteen percent.
And then Matthew will pay ten percent and he will keep five percent. Everybody hates tax collectors. Everybody hates the tax collectors more.
And Matthew is a Jew. But, he works for Rome. The Jewish people hate the Roman people.
Matthew collects money from the Jews. It gives to the Roman and he keeps some. When you decide, who do I hate the most? The tax collector is the worst.
Topic. Who do you hate? Who do you hate? Do not say bill. Okay.
I hate bill. Too much homework. Who do you hate? Why do you hate them? Who do you not trust? There are some people we do not trust.
They did not trust the tax collector. Why? Who do you not trust? Do not say President Trump. Or Hillary.
Or I will know why. So, Jesus says to Matthew, to me by follow me. That’s strange.
Jesus chooses one man that everybody hates. Jesus chooses the man that everybody hates. And says to follow me.
And he did. Matthew got up. Matthew got up and followed Jesus.
Topic. Who is your friend that nobody likes? Do you have a friend that nobody likes? I had a friend in Japan. His name was Izuka.
Izuka. Nobody likes Izuka. One day we went camping.
We were driving in the car. Over everybody is covered by Izuka sign. Nobody likes Izuka.
I don’t like Izuka. But he is my friend. Man.
Yeah. Girls do not grow up. Girls are smart.
Men are stupid. That’s not funny. It’s true.
So, who is your friend that nobody likes? That’s a good topic. Jesus loved everybody, including Levi. So, they went to Levi’s house.
Levi had a big house that they would lay down, recline that they would lay down, and many text collectors. Many text collectors and sinners were eating together. Wow.
Topic. Do you have friends that your parents do not like? Do you have friends that your parents do not like? Do you have a friend that your best friend does not like? Yeah, yeah. I have this friend and then I have this friend.
Oh, this is no good. These people are the worst. These people are the worst.
Topic. Where is the most dangerous place you have been? That’s a topic. The text collectors, the sinners, followed Jesus.
They were following him. When the scribes, the lawyers, the Pharisees, the Pharisees are the teachers of Old Testament. Kind of.
When the scribes and the Pharisees saw Jesus with the text collectors, they asked the disciples. This is important. They did not ask Jesus.
They asked the disciples why they did not ask Jesus. What are you doing? What are you doing? Crazy man. What are you doing? Crazy man.
Why does he eat with text collectors and sinners? But they asked Pharisees ask disciples Jesus answers. The question is here, but Jesus. It is not those who need a doctor, but those who are sick.
I came to call the righteous. I didn’t come to call righteous, but sinners. What does Jesus mean? Jesus said, it is not those who are well who need a doctor.
Sick people need a doctor. Sick people need a doctor. Jesus, I didn’t come for righteous.
