Over The Walls:
The Outcast Matthew 9:9-13Throughout our summer emphasis on outreach into our communities, we are taking time on Sunday mornings to see the heart of Jesus for those who were “outside the walls”. Today, we will see Jesus go over the walls of reputation to rescue a lost tax collector named Matthew.Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. “As we unpack our teaching text today, we will discover the heart of the Lord for the lost people who are often behind walls we ourselves have built. Perhaps outside of our comfort zones. Maybe even people we would deem as un-worthy Jesus goes after them, just like he came after us. The question of Jesus for us today could easily be “Will you follow me? “Will you go over the walls?Matthew 9:9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. As Pastor Joe unpacked for us a little bit last week, it is hard to exactly understand the disdain that the Jews had for tax collectors. The closest parallel for us might be akin to the scammers who are calling, or email trying to get our information so they can extort money from us. They were viewed as traitors of their people because they were working for “The man” or the Roman government that was oppressing the Jews. They were charged with collecting taxes but were free to collect extra to line their own pockets. They were viewed as greedy and self-serving. That was Matthew-Yes, Jesus saw a tax collector that day, but he saw beyond that sin and shame, beyond the walls, to see a heart longing for something different. He knew Matthew’s heart was seeking forgiveness and redemption. An opportunity of new life. Matthew was so ready that he instantly left his entire life behind to follow Jesus.Matthew 9:10-11While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? “Matthew takes note of the guest list of this dinner party, making special note that it was MANY tax collectors like himself and other well-known sinners from the town. In the culture and time of Jesus, sharing a meal with someone was not just a common thing like it is today- it carried significant meaning in terms of relationship, of acceptance, and of belonging. In this scene Jesus has made space for people to be with him, to engage them right where they were, no pre-conditions required. This action on behalf of Jesus ran the religious folks right into a wall.Matthew 9:12-13On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. “In his response, we see that Jesus’ heart is for the outcast, for the people outside the walls. His heart is for those who are down and out, desperate in the gutter. His heart is to extend them grace and an invitation to forgiveness and new life. It’s THEM he came for. It’s the sick who need a doctor. What wall is God calling you to go over? What have you allowed to block the Lord’s flow of mercy in your life? What are the walls? Perhaps the wall of racism or prejudice? Perhaps it’s the wall of politics? Maybe it’s even a big old religious wall? The truth is, if you had lived in the time of Jesus, Matthew may have been the worst of the worst to you- yet Jesus extended a hand to his. So, will you go over your walls today? Will you follow Jesus over that wall in your life? Allow him to lead you. Will you be like Matthew and go all in? As I was preparing this week, I picked up a William Barclay commentary on Matthew and it revealed a few other walls we should consider. The wall of self-preservation that I built to protect myself, to keep my experience safe and comfortable. The wall of selfishness that views my relationship with the Lord and involvement in the church as being all about me. The wall of criticism that helps to isolate me from being near the messiness in other people’s lives. Or perhaps it’s the wall of apathy. The wall that says they got themselves into this mess, let them get themselves out. Friends, walls can be built of many things, for many reasons, but the invitation of the Lord remains for you and for me Follow me” Jesus says. Let’s go over the walls today friends. Let’s go together.