The action moves quickly in this passage. Two big things are going on here.
First, Matthew a tax collector is called by Jesus. Jesus walks by Matthew, sitting in a tax collector’s booth, and says “Follow Me!” Matthew gets up and follows him. This is a great example of a right response to Christ’s call. Matthew is sitting in a booth collecting money, perhaps skimming-off some for himself like tax collectors then were known to do. People are coming to him. In a booth, he’s enclosed. The first thing he needs to do is repent—leave his old life. This he does. This is a decision. Next, he “gets up.” He was sitting now he’s up. A physical response. Finally, he “follows” Jesus—obedience. This response is to be simple. It’s not easy for sure, but it is simple.
Matthew does three things in his right response—REPENT, TAKE-ACTION, and OBEY.
Next, we see, in a house, Jesus hanging out with sinners. This is an interesting scene. Jesus seems to be chilling-out, “reclining at the table” at someone’s house (we don’t know who exactly.) And, then BEHOLD tax collectors and sinners came and were dinning with Jesus and his disciples. Either a group entered quickly, or their presence was shocking. Maybe both. This obviously outraged the Pharisees, who then question Jesus about His new ‘appalling’ acquaintances. Jesus answers by saying that He desires compassion and not empty sacrifices. He cares about the content of our hearts, not empty sacrifices. Our actions should be backed-up and grow-out of our heats. Matthew’s response in v9 is a perfect example of a believer’s heart.
Further, Jesus points out that He came to SAVE SINNERS. This is great news. We are all sinners. Jesus came for us! The analogy of the physician makes sense. Churches are SPIRITUAL HOSPITALS that we all need.
Steve Kuzner
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.
10 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, [and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ How do you think Matthew felt sitting in that tax booth before Jesus called him? [v9]
+ What do you think made Matthew’s calling seem so effortless? Was it effortless? [v9]
+ What reasons do you think compelled Matthew to write, “behold”? [v10]
+ What confused the Pharisees? [v11]
+ What would cause someone to need a “Spiritual Physician”? [v12]
+ What does Jesus desire in us? [v13]
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What type of booth might you metaphorically still be sitting-in”? [v9]
+ What sins do you use as excuses to not dine (share your life) with Christ? [v10]]
+ What does the contents of your heart look-like? Does it include compassion? [v13]
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who do you know that might be sitting in a metaphorical booth? [v10]
+ Who do you know that uses sins as an excuse to not dine (share their life) with Christ? [v10]
+ Who in your life do you need to be more compassionate to? [v13]