He Came For A Relationship. Matthew 9:9-13 NLT

I worked with a lady once who would never work April 15th. That was the day she did her taxes. She enjoyed waiting until the last possible moment to write that check. She was one of those people you would see on the news in line at the post office just before midnight.  

The tax man is Jesus's day was just as reviled as he is today. Back then though, paying your taxes really was extortion. They collected the tax and a little extra for themselves. Or a lot. It was a lucrative business. Tax collectors were not liked, and thats putting it mildly. 

Matthew not only left his lucrative tax business to follow Jesus, he invited all his fellow tax collectors to do the same. When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these men, they asked why. 

And Jesus answers. 

He came for the sick in spirit. He came for the lost. He came for the sinners. He came for mercy and He came for love. He came for a relationship with you. That's all He wants. 

Matthew 9:9-13 NLT

Jesus Calls Matthew

9 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to His home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with such scum? "

12  When Jesus heard this, He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 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.”

Hosea 6:6
I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Blessings, Cecilia