THE UNLIKELY AND UNSUSPECTING
TEXT: Mark 2: 13-17
November 20, 2011
READING: Jeremiah 17: 1-18

SUBJ: The call of Levi (Matthew), the distinct nature of this call and the reaction of the Scribes and Pharisees.

AIM: That we might observe this aspect of the call of all unto salvation and service while noting the challenge to the thoughts of men and their own righteousness.

INTR: Often throughout the ministry of our Lord, His attention moves from general to specific and He singles out specific individuals such as Matthew who seem to be both unlikely and unsuspecting candidates for salvation and service.

1. Again, we take note of the fact that He does not follow a pattern for calling people to Himself nor does present Himself to all in the same way.
2. It is interesting to note that in Matthew’s own account (where he might have said more about his personal experience) he says less of himself than the Mark and Luke and seems ready to defer all to Christ in the matter of his call.
3. While all may recount differing experiences, one thing is common. It is the call and quickening of the Son that avails unto salvation.

THESIS: The world will often question the testimony of those whose life is of questionable circumstance since they cannot see beyond a past life. The true believer will recognize that salvation and calling are according to the will and purpose of God and in spite of all reason against them.

I. An unlikely encounter (v. 14)
1. Who he was. Levi, who called himself Matthew. Perhaps a brother to others such as Simon and Jude and may indicate some prior knowledge of the work and ministry of Christ.
2. So much to be said in one simple verse of scripture:
1) The Lord passing by
2) The man at the particular location that put him in the way
3) The previous activity of the Lord
4) The occupation of the man
5) A simple command that displayed sovereignty and entailed salvation
6) Absolute submission – no waiting around to take care of the things of this world.
3. For all of this we observe that the 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
4. And, it He that has come to seek and to save that which was lost and His sheep respond to His voice.

II. A scene soon following (v. 15)
1. The feast at the house of Levi – a picture of union and communion.
2. A time of fellowship and sharing – Levi would point others to Jesus
3. The reaction of the many to the conversion of Matthew
4. With Jesus and His disciples – the publicans and sinners – those to whom He came.
5. The many drawn to the specific – Jesus with those He saves! (Especially at the cross.)

III. The opposition (v. 16)
1. Could not see the change for what it was since they had no idea of the effects of the grace of God.
2. Self-righteousness in all tends to be repulsed by that which does not meet their own standards
3. They had no concept of mercy since they saw no need of it in themselves. Compare Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
4. The resentment that He did not eat with them.

IV. The simple answer (v. 17)
1. His coming was/is directed to those with a consciousness of their need because of sin – they are confessed sinners and need no condemnation in the court of human opinion.
2. He addresses that in them that comes with the revelation of Himself and His righteousness.
3. Thus, His call was to them awakened to their need such as Levi, “a man called Matthew.”
4. There was no call forthcoming to those who persisted in their way of self-righteousness and rebellion against grace. All rejection of Christ is based in the thought of the Scribes and Pharisees – they did not need Him and we who know Him do.