Introduction
The sixth fishing expedition is amazing and, honestly, a bit astonishing to me. There is this guy living in Capernaum — he is well off, well-dressed, has it all. He is, in fact, the son of the powerful Alphaeus and commissioned, trusted, and protected by Rome to collect taxes from the people of Israel. He may have been following Jesus from afar and weighing carefully the call to leave everything and follow. But there is so much to leave — the house, the money, the job, the lifestyle. If he could only know for certain that Jesus could give him what he most wants. Let’s see what he discovers.
Reading [You can read as much as you can, depending on your availability]
Luke 5:27-39
(or)
Matthew 9:9-17
(or)
Mark 2:14-22
Meditating [Use these questions to start your thinking]
- Where is Jesus fishing?
- What do we know about tax collectors?
- How do you visualize this banquet?
- What were Jesus’ disciples learning?
- What other questions do you still have?
Sharing: Text ONE of your answers to the questions above to your team. Each team should post a sharing from a team member in the comments below.
Once again, this fishing expedition is closely tied to the one we just saw yesterday. It would not surprise me to discover that Matthew was one of the people who had his face pressed up against the window as Jesus confronted the unbelief of the religious crowd. I think maybe Matthew heard Jesus say something that day that changed everything for him. You see, Matthew didn’t really need anything. He had everything the world of his day had to offer. He probably had a large house. Matthew had the clothes, the money, the house, the horse, the deluxe chariot — everything anyone could possibly want. Yet, there was one thing he did not possess. It is the thing that every wealthy person in the world who does not have Jesus seeks. He did not have forgiveness of sins. As he pressed his ear that day against the window, he heard and saw Jesus forgive sins and prove it with a supernatural miracle.
Jesus begins walking the streets of Capernaum and recognizes Matthew and says, “Follow Me!” No sweeter words were ever heard by the hated tax collector. He was a traitor to his own people, a sell-out to the enemy — Rome. He was despised and rejected and his only friends were other tax collectors and sinners. Wow! What an act of love, what an extension of grace, what a risk of reputation. Jesus would get branded from this event and His time in Matthew’s house. Those who hated Jesus used this opportunity to defame Him and even started a saying about Him. It is found a few chapters later in Matthew 11:19 and also in Luke 7:34. They called Jesus “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners.’” What they meant as a slam, Jesus wore like a badge.
How about you? Is anyone calling you a friend of sinners? Or do you stay so far away from the tax collectors and sinners in your life for fear that they might tarnish your squeaky-clean reputation? Be careful whose reputation you are guarding. Jesus loved being known as a friend of sinners. That is why He can be your friend and mine. He humbled Himself taking on the form of a human. I can’t even fathom the depth of humility and how low Jesus stooped to come to this sin-sick earth and save a bunch of sinners and tax collectors. Oh, if only sinners would see enough of Jesus in me to call me their friend — not because I partake in their sin, but because I love them and embrace them despite their sin. Remember that even though Jesus hung out with the sinners of His day, He never fell into their sins (Heb. 4:15). Be careful that you bring Jesus to the sinners of this world and they don’t draw you into their sins. Be wise, stay closely connected to Jesus and depend on Him for wisdom and discernment as you reach out to a lost and dying world.
[Bumble’s additional notes: Do you realize how hard it is for the early disciples to have this traitor Matthew be among their rank? A lot of time, we would be okay with fishing for men like the previous five scenarios, as long as “they” are not a part of “us”. But here Jesus was getting His disciples to overcome one of the final barriers: unless we make disciples, and promote them to become disciple-makers just like us, we will not succeed in our calling.]
Matthew came to Jesus and then right away threw a party for Him. Be ready after your fishing expedition for one of the people who come to Jesus to be pumped to share Jesus with his/her family or friends. They may even want your help. How exciting! Be ready to follow up with those who will come to Jesus. Don’t blow this opportunity. You will never know what it feels like to fish for men until you do it. It is a waste of time to talk about fishing for men and not actually do it. Don’t be scared — be strong and courageous and call people to “Come and see,” to check out Jesus. This is your chance to see God’s power in action as you step out on faith and share the Good News. Spend some time praying together for your follow-up with those who will believe. Remember the fields are ready for the harvest (John 4:35). Throw out the net and experience the thrill of catching men for Jesus.
Happy Friday all! Hope your week was filled with blessings from the Lord.
What do we know about tax collectors? –> Tax collectors during this time were a greed bunch. Willing to exploit people for their own benefits and really had no shame in doing so. They lived comfortably knowing everyone had to pay taxes to them and more often than not the people gave them even more money if the collectors just asked for it in order to be left alone. Ta x collectors were also hated and looked down upon for their immoral way of life. They would rob money from the poor only to elevate their wealth.
This passage definitely reminded me how I sometimes have difficulties loving people who seem to be undeserving, rude, self righteous etc. Whatever the reason, it shouldn’t mean that I must shield myself from them. They, too, need to be saved, and only when I put my trust in Jesus and obey, and open my heart to others, that they may also experience the love of Christ.
I visualize the banquet as a grand thing where people, believers and non-believers alike, were sat together in good company. Then, off to the side, were the Pharisees looking in with contempt and mumbling within earshot, “Do they not know they’re dining with sinners.” Which, of course, Jesus knew as He purposely put Himself in this situation to reach out to them. Because how else would sinners come to know Jesus unless we meet them where and how they are, much like how Jesus here meets with the tax collectors and ackowledges by dining with them. The vice versa cannot happen as a non-believer would not feel comfortable going outside their comfort zone where they would feel outcasted, so we need to meet and “fish” them where they are.
What do we know about tax collectors?
We know that tax collectors were hated upon and seen as haters in those times. We even see this in what the Pharisees said about the tax collectors in vs. 30. They were not happy that Jesus was hanging out with them. In the previous passage, Jesus was already getting heat and people were saying he spoke blasphemy.
However, Jesus demonstrated grace and chose to hangout with those that were despised in society. He showed love and became a friend of sinners.
May God allow us to extend his love & grace to all those we come to know & pass in our life.