WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:09.400 My church thinks I'm kind of weird because when I'm about to preach, I say good morning and I expect them to respond. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:16.100 So, good morning. Thank you very much for inviting me. 00:00:17.420 --> 00:00:22.039 The last time I preached at Advent, I was a floating event during the pandemic. 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:25.240 So, it's good to be present in person. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:29.859 Today we're going to be looking at Matthew chapter 9, verse 9 to 13. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:35.920 We're going to talk about what Jesus does when he encounters stumfers. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.820 We're going to talk about what Jesus does when he encounters stumfers. 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:41.539 Let me pray for us. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:47.460 Open your word for us, Lord God. 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:49.780 Help us to see new things. 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:55.879 Cause that the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, 00:00:56.299 --> 00:00:59.679 so that we will become more like your Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:01.240 Amen. 00:01:02.820 --> 00:01:03.200 Amen. 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:08.340 Alright, what does Jesus do when he encounters scoundrels? 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:09.700 That's what we're going to talk about today. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:15.200 And I use that word the way that the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, uses that word. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:18.480 A mean, worthless person. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:19.340 A villain. 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:23.420 Somebody without any integrity, honor, or virtue. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:30.320 And in our texts today, the scoundrels are the sinners and the tax collectors. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:40.379 Tax collectors were often wealthy men who collected customs and duties for the Roman Empire within our context. 00:01:40.459 --> 00:01:41.559 And there's nothing wrong with that. 00:01:41.619 --> 00:01:44.199 There's nothing wrong with collecting customs and taxes. 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:44.919 Of course not. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:53.200 But the reason that they were often wealthy was because they were also very greedy and weak in men. 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:57.500 And in their dealings with people, they extorted them and that's where they got their wealth. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:00.480 Society hated them as a result of that. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:07.780 Sinners were people who flagrantly violated the cultural and religious norms of Judaism. 00:02:08.920 --> 00:02:12.240 They committed acts against the laws of God. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:17.620 So again, tax collectors, sinners, are the scoundrels in our passage. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.099 And rightly so. 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:26.599 But when Jesus comes to them, he doesn't treat them the way everybody else treats them. 00:02:28.459 --> 00:02:34.280 Earlier on in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:38.759 And he sees Peter and Andrew and James and John. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.719 And he says, follow me. 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:46.159 Those four men immediately draw what they're doing and they immediately follow Jesus. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:50.359 Now, that was a smart move on Jesus' part. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:56.599 Because he's calling strong, capable, hard-working men. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:02.039 Who know what it's like to be out in the sea, taking care of their family. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:09.500 But then in our passage, verse 9, Jesus is passing on from where he just healed the leper. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:11.639 And he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the taxi. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:13.180 But then he says, follow me. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:15.419 He's doing exactly the same thing. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:19.859 And he's passing by and he sees someone and says, hey, you, follow me. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:22.839 But this is a tax collector. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:28.060 How is this a good thing for Jesus' ministry? 00:03:29.399 --> 00:03:33.939 Because wouldn't it tarnish his image and make people sort of turn away from him? 00:03:35.399 --> 00:03:40.339 Well, the answer is at the end of our passage when Jesus says, I have not come to call sinners, 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:44.340 righteous, sorry, but sinners to repentance. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:53.580 Jesus is intentionally looking for the outcasts, the scoundrel, to accomplish his purposes. 00:03:54.980 --> 00:03:56.819 And so he calls Matthew. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:00.439 And that means he's not only calling those who are respectable. 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:01.280 No. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:01.319 No. 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:07.479 He's going to fulfill his purposes by also calling people who don't fit the normal categories, 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:10.000 who are sinners and tax collectors. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:13.860 Now imagine with me for a moment that you're a Matthew. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:17.819 And how did he feel when you heard that call? 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:18.960 Follow me. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:26.779 Now, as a Jewish tax collector, he meant that you had betrayed your faith. 00:04:27.659 --> 00:04:36.479 Because you were taking money from your fellow Israelites and putting it into the coffers of your enemies, your oppressor. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:43.020 You were unclean all the time because you were interacting with dentists. 00:04:43.780 --> 00:04:46.740 You worked on the Sabbath when you weren't supposed to. 00:04:47.580 --> 00:04:51.879 And when you took up the profession of becoming a tax collector, you shamed your family. 00:04:52.580 --> 00:04:54.420 And you were excommunicated from the synagogue. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.660 This is the person that you are. 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:02.020 And you hear those words. 00:05:03.280 --> 00:05:04.100 Follow me. 00:05:04.100 --> 00:05:15.140 For years, Matthew has been classed with prostitutes and murderers and robbers, sinners, living with rejection and shame and fear. 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:23.680 And like in the Garden of Eden, Matthew had sown fig leaves to cover up his sin. 00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:25.760 His niggas. 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:31.860 He had a comfortable life, job security, power over his own people, and protection from assault. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:34.120 But Jesus saw through those fig leaves. 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:40.080 And he said, I want you as you are, naked as you are, terrible as you are, to follow me. 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:43.980 And it was a pivotal decision for Matthew to make. 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:48.740 Would he ignore Jesus? 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:55.640 Or would he surrender to the sweet vulnerability of being Jesus' disciple? 00:05:57.280 --> 00:06:00.480 And so Matthew chooses to follow Jesus. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:07.280 And suddenly, the clouds of shame dissipate. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:11.120 The cords of guilt lift from his shoulders. 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:16.140 All the thin leaves that he had used to cover up his nakedness before the Lord. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:18.560 All of a sudden, those went away. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:21.939 And he had a new identity in Jesus Christ. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:26.439 Righteousness, holiness, glory of Christ covered him. 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:29.779 Just like the bonds of slavery were broken. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:34.259 And Israel walked into a new salvation. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:37.519 Just like Jesus touched the leper. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:38.699 Right? 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:40.939 And the leper received his sight. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:42.019 Just like Moses. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:46.879 When he came down from the mountain, he had already been attracted to the glory of God. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.959 Such as the glory of God was on him. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:55.879 Matthew coming into contact with Jesus was the breaking of chains from slavery. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:59.680 And the reception of God's glory and holiness. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.319 Now, when you get home today, I want you to do something. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.500 I want you to locate a scandal. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:11.959 I do not mean your children or your spouse or women. 00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:15.339 Those tell me what the time you think of them as such. 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:19.119 I want you to find the scandal that's in the mirror. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:20.759 The one that you see when you're in the mirror. 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:25.899 And I want you to tell yourself this truth. 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:28.759 Jesus Christ sees me. 00:07:29.539 --> 00:07:30.639 Sees my demons. 00:07:31.159 --> 00:07:33.979 Sees how completely messed up I am. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:37.079 And he loves and cherishes me still. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.399 He says, follow me. 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:46.379 I want you to remind yourself that because of Jesus Christ, there is no shame anymore. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.839 There is no guilt anymore. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.719 There is no fear anymore. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:51.339 He loves you. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.799 He wants you. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.679 He embraces you. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:56.799 He says, follow me. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.259 And just like Matthew. 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:00.399 Come in again. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:01.759 Rise up. 00:08:02.359 --> 00:08:03.120 Take up your cross. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:04.639 And follow Jesus. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:09.519 That's the first thing that Jesus does when he encounters sinners. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:11.339 He tells them to follow him. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:15.879 Matthew felt this freedom just crossing throughout his body. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:20.319 And he just had to celebrate Jesus in some way. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.099 He had to showcase him. 00:08:22.919 --> 00:08:24.019 So he throws a party. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:29.839 Similarly, you and I, when we encounter Jesus, our job is to celebrate him all the time. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:31.800 And showcase him to the world. 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:34.340 Throw parties for Jesus Christ. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:37.419 But it's not always easy. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.340 And it can be uncomfortable at times. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.559 I mean, think about this. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:43.319 Jesus is lounging at the table. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.000 And the door is flinging open. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:51.860 And all these sinners and tax collectors come to sit at the table with Jesus. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:56.840 Now, one scoundrel was pushing him. 00:08:57.179 --> 00:08:57.379 Right? 00:08:58.299 --> 00:09:01.100 But not being surrounded by scoundrels. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:03.319 A whole room full of scoundrels. 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:05.360 Now, Jesus could have backed up. 00:09:06.260 --> 00:09:07.560 Certainly, he could have backed up. 00:09:07.780 --> 00:09:11.580 Because not even them, might have meant that he condoned what they were doing. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:17.200 Or even worse, other people looking in might be like, oh, he's friends and tax collectors and sinners. 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:19.220 So he must be one of them. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:22.139 But Jesus doesn't do that. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.899 Use your imagination. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:30.620 You can't imagine that you were one of the disciples of Jesus sitting at that table. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:32.759 You're sitting there. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:33.440 You're feeling it. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.519 You're surrounded by all these sinners. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:38.879 Okay? 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:40.539 What's going on through your mind? 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:43.360 Are you perhaps thinking of Psalm chapter 1? 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:47.299 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:49.039 Nor stand in the way of sinners. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:51.000 Nor sit in the seats of scoffers. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:53.240 But his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:55.039 And on his law, he meditates day and night. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.159 Maybe that's what you're thinking about. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.019 Or maybe you're thinking of Psalm 24, verse 4 to 5. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:02.279 I do not sit with men of falsehood. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:02.820 Ruth. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:05.860 Nor do I consort with hypocrites. 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:08.740 I hate the assembly of evil towards men. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:09.919 And I will not sit with the wicked. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:14.159 And yet that's exactly what you're saying. 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:20.599 See, when the Pharisees asked Jesus, or asked his disciples, 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:24.479 Why does your teacher eat with task collectors and sinners? 00:10:24.699 --> 00:10:28.419 It's possible that they were also thinking about these Old Testament passages 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:31.279 that said you shouldn't consort with wicked people. 00:10:32.219 --> 00:10:38.299 So, we shouldn't always think that the Pharisees were simply uptight religious dogmatists. 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:42.339 Granted, some of them were uptight religious dogmatists. 00:10:42.839 --> 00:10:45.859 But that question could have come from a very good place. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:46.859 It's a fair question. 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:54.199 If the law and the prophets and the Psalms say that we should shun evil people, 00:10:54.479 --> 00:10:56.639 why was Jesus consorting with them at the moment? 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.819 This brings me to my second point. 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:08.360 God's fellowship with the scoundrel aims to heal them of their sin. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:10.840 Look at verses 12 and 13. 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:13.080 If you have your Bible speak to people. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.560 When he heard it, he said, 00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:19.680 Those who are wild have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 00:11:20.640 --> 00:11:22.000 Go and learn what this means. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.480 I desire mercy and not sacrifice. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:28.300 For I can not to call the righteous, but sinners. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:33.639 Jesus' response to the Pharisees is simple. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.879 Sin is a spiritual sickness. 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.399 It means seductive. 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:42.720 Jesus is the great physician who deals with sin in people. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:46.080 Now, because he is God incarnate and he is holy, 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:50.320 whatever he touches becomes holy. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:54.180 He passes on his spirit. 00:11:55.040 --> 00:11:57.720 Because as the great physician deals with sin. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.700 Now, if you are not in Jesus' company, 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:04.040 when you're hanging out, interacting with scoundrels, 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.960 their company will corrupt your character. 00:12:07.400 --> 00:12:10.379 But if you are hanging out with Jesus, like the disciples were, 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:13.340 you stay in fellowship with Jesus. 00:12:14.040 --> 00:12:16.460 When you're interacting with the world with scoundrels and sinners, 00:12:16.900 --> 00:12:18.260 that doesn't happen to you. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:24.220 That is the essence, the caution behind the commands to avoid ungodly people. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.539 But if you are with Jesus, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.799 when you interact with sinners, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.179 you become the medium through which Jesus, 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:36.600 the great physician, heals the sick. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.799 And this is what Jesus was doing at the table. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:43.519 This party is thrown in his honor, 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:47.679 but it was not a, come as you are and leave the way you can. 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:51.460 He wanted them to be changed. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:53.379 This is not one of the situations where, you know, 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:56.679 you go to the barber and you get a haircut and you come out 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.960 and people are like, oh, you look different. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.580 No, I stopped what this was. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:02.080 This was a complete makeover, 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:05.480 a change in nature that was happening at that table. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.819 At Matthew's table, 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.659 he's declaring the gladness of deliverance, 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.980 speaking of the faithfulness of God and his salvation, 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:15.019 and enjoining his listeners to repent. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.240 Now, I would not be surprised 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.120 if much of what he was saying 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:22.639 was exactly what the Pharisees themselves were also saying. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.220 The same thing that the Pharisees said 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.360 to the task collectors and sinners 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.740 may have been what Jesus said as well. 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.680 The difference is, 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:34.159 Jesus was speaking from the table of fellowship. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.019 That's the difference. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:40.980 I suspect that Pharisees often spoke from a pulpit of condemnation. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:45.399 I suspect that they preached the law of God 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:49.019 with anger and disgust in their hearts 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.100 rather than grace and love. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.820 And I suspect that they felt that they were better 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:55.000 than the task collectors and the sinners. 00:13:56.420 --> 00:13:58.360 No doubt their imperiousness 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.960 seeped into their sermons, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.200 into the message, 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:03.800 and bolstered their hypocrisy. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:08.659 They were unbearably righteous. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.639 Now, if this sounds familiar, 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:18.000 it may be because the conduct of too many Christians 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:20.159 is just like that. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.259 We're good at condemning the world for its sins, 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:27.560 and we are often very good at doing that 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:29.060 at the top of our lungs. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.840 Very long. 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:33.480 We're skillful at vilifying all 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.700 and stray away from biblical truth. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:39.500 We're good at creating an us-versus-them dynamic. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.820 Those Democrats, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.399 those Republicans, 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:45.659 those conspiracy theorists, 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.759 those alumnus, 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.019 those immigrants, 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:50.019 those Black Lives Matter people, 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:51.460 those white folks, 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.399 on and on and on, 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:55.559 there's so much up and going around. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:15:00.000 We can be unbearably righteous. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:05.320 But Jesus didn't come to call them 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.159 unbearably righteous. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.639 He came to call sinners. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.720 Now, pause for a second. 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.500 What exactly was Jesus saying here? 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.320 Was he saying that the Pharisees 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.700 were righteous, 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:21.679 and so therefore they did not need him? 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.340 Y'all are good. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.200 These are the ones that need my help, 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.240 not even poor righteousness. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.019 Is that what he's saying? 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.139 No. 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:29.759 No. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.759 In the book of Matthew, 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.480 there are people who are 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.439 actually called righteous. 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.039 There's several examples. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:35.500 Joseph, 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.799 the father of Jesus, 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.519 earthly father of Jesus, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.039 was called a righteous man, 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.299 same one that's used in this passage. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.279 Mary is the favored one. 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.639 We have Anna, the prophetess, 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:48.620 who prays and fasts in the temple. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.840 We have Simeon, 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:52.179 who sees Jesus. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.340 We have John the Baptist, 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.240 who's a herald. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:56.680 All these people are righteous people. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:59.139 Do they not need the great physician? 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.960 There's a parable in chapter 18. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.940 Two men go into the temple to pray. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.820 One is a tax collector, 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.740 a sinner, 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:12.139 and the other is a Pharisee. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.139 The Pharisee comes to God, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.820 and he says, 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.299 God, I thank you so much, 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.460 that I am not like that. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.180 The person over there, 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.720 mm-mm-mm. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:20.980 I fast twice a week, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.480 and I give a tithe of everything that I have. 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:25.160 Thank you that I am not like that person. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.320 To you beyond the glory, 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:26.899 hallelujah. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.379 That's what the Pharisee said. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.560 The tax collector 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:36.840 is unable to even look up to heaven. 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:40.139 He comes with his face bowed down. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:44.259 He stands far off, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:48.480 beats his breast, 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:49.819 and says, 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:52.120 Lord, God, 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:55.319 please have mercy on me, 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.159 a sinner. 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.379 And Jesus says, 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:04.059 that the tax collector, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.879 when you can justify, 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.559 that is, 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.420 declared righteous, 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.480 not the Pharisee. 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:12.360 Because everybody who humbles themselves 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:13.140 will be exalted, 00:17:13.280 --> 00:17:14.400 and anyone who exalts themselves 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.280 will be humbled. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.220 In gospel terms, 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.640 those who are declared righteous 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:21.300 are who should look up to God 00:17:21.300 --> 00:17:21.720 and say, 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:23.420 be merciful to me, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.520 a sinner. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:28.280 And this did not describe the Pharisees. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.060 And far too many Christians 00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:33.420 believe exactly like the Pharisees. 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.800 They pay live service, 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.480 and when they say, 00:17:36.800 --> 00:17:37.840 Lord, be merciful to me, 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.480 because I'm a sinner, 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.220 and I'm a sinner. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:42.220 We display false superiority 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:44.220 that only makes us look atrocious 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.600 in the eyes of the world. 00:17:48.100 --> 00:17:50.700 We need Jesus to open our eyes 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:52.279 so that we can see that we too, 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.220 without him, 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.620 are scumbrils. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.839 Let me let you in on the big secret. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.860 All Christians 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:05.839 are sinners saved by grace. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.459 Did you know that? 00:18:08.199 --> 00:18:10.399 All Christians are sinners saved by grace. 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.699 Before Jesus, 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.059 we are all scoundrels. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.939 And sometimes we act, 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:18.419 and I include myself in this. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.059 I know that people need Jesus 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.779 more than we do. 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.399 That's a problem. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:26.820 To this very day, 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.180 our Lord Jesus Christ 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:30.060 is constantly going to the table 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.360 of sinners 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.560 and task collectors, 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.700 of scoundrels. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.700 Are we like the Pharisees 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:37.360 who stand outside the door 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.280 looking in 00:18:38.280 --> 00:18:39.340 and judge 00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.240 the disciples 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.880 who were with him 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.620 and judge Jesus 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.280 for doing that? 00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:44.700 Or are we going to go there as well 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:47.040 and attend to the sick? 00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:48.100 Now, thankfully, 00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:50.000 Jesus can heal 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.400 even our own self-righteousness. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:52.680 And that's what he does 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.460 with the Pharisees. 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.880 He tells them, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.100 go and learn what this means. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.880 I desire mercy, 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.200 not sacrifice. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.540 Now, it's one of those 00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:03.800 hyperboles in the gospel 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:04.640 that when Jesus says 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.900 that you cannot follow him 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.960 unless you completely 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.600 hate your mother, 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.280 father, and brother, 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.600 don't tell your kids 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.440 that they should hate anybody. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.519 No, that's not what that says. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.980 It's a hyperboles, 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.759 hyperboles. 00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.400 Saying that Jesus desires 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:18.519 mercy more 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.759 than sacrifice. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.139 He's asking us 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:21.900 to prioritize 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:23.200 the mercy of God 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.799 over beautiful obedience. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.180 Remember the immense, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.619 gracious sacrifice 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.379 of his life 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.579 that opened up 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.319 the kingdom doors 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.079 and we need to learn 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.220 to hold both grace 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.819 and truth, 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.579 mercy, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.059 and sacrifice. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.859 So Jesus 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.759 encounters sinners 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.019 and calls them to himself 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.019 and then he fellowships 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.700 with him. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.059 Now, 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.039 when Matthew threw a party 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.740 for Jesus, 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.740 he likely did not know 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.180 that Jesus was going 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.839 to throw a party 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.579 for him 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.279 and for everybody else 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.099 who would come 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.539 to believe in his name. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.799 That's where Isaiah passage, 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.579 the end of it, 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.299 talks about it. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.240 It paints this picture 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.599 of a great banquet 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.819 for all the people 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.120 and all the peoples 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:02.039 in the presence of God 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.160 and attached to this 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.519 is a promise 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.960 that reflects the work 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.400 of Jesus 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.880 calling people to himself 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:09.299 and fellowshiping with him. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.920 And I want to end 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.859 by reading this passage. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.720 On this mountain, 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.779 he will swallow up 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.220 the covering 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.519 which is over all peoples. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.519 Even the veil 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.620 which is stressful 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.440 for all nations, 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.960 he will swallow up 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.859 death for all time. 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.859 And the Lord 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:24.859 will wipe tears 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:26.579 away from all faces 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:28.779 and he will remove 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.019 the reproach 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.720 of his people 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:33.279 from all the earth. 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.460 For the Lord has spoken 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.240 and will be said 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.980 on that day, 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.000 Behold, 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.799 this is our God 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.059 for whom we have waited 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:43.380 that he might save us. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.980 This is the Lord 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.099 for whom we have waited. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.360 Let us rejoice 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:48.860 and be glad 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.120 in his salvation. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.799 Let us rejoice 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.660 and be glad 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.120 that Jesus calls us 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:56.259 sinners to follow you 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.759 and that he calls us 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.559 to fellowship with him 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.420 that he might heal us 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:03.079 of our diseases. 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.539 In the name of the Father, 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.380 and of the Son, 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.720 and of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.940 Amen.