Getting to Know Jesus #9

We are in Luke 5, listening to what Jesus had to say, to which people kept asking: What kind of word is this? Our next account is in verse

 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

When Jesus had called a group of fishermen to be His first followers, there was not any recorded public outcry. But now there is.  Just like with Simon Peter and his comrades, Jesus came to Levi where He worked. He was doing what he did every day.  No other prelude is given here: Jesus simply said: "Follow me" and Levi did. He left behind a very lucrative career.  He then gives this feast for his friends, inviting Jesus as the guest of honor, and then the grumbling begins: the judgmental religionists question Jesus' choice of companions.  Then come the words.  Jesus makes a statement intended to make them ask themselves questions: Who is it that need a doctor? The ones who are sick and willing to admit they need one and come seeking help.  In the same way, I need to be spending time with those who are willing to say they are sin-sick and need spiritual healing; they need to repent and have me change their lives forever.  As we look around us today, who do you see that Jesus would choose to spend time with? Go and do likewise.