阅读经文 

当时税吏往往被人鄙视，因为他们向百姓征收过量的税款，并把多征收的据为己有。很多税吏都以损害别人为代价来取得财富。如果你与税吏为伍，你也可能要承担被人鄙视的风险。

有人见到耶稣与税吏利未和他的伙伴们一同吃饭，当地的宗教领袖便问耶稣的门徒说：“祂和税吏并罪人一同吃喝吗？”这个问题的用意显然是要批评耶稣，但同时它也值得我们去思想。耶稣与税吏和罪人这等坏人来往，难道我们担心祂因为这种交往而受到不良的影响，有什么不对吗？

那么，或许我们需要从另一个角度来看这件事。我们是否可以假定耶稣知道祂在做什么？我们是否可以相信神的儿子耶稣爱利未、希望成为他生命的一部分、并要告诉他什么才是丰盛的生命吗？耶稣清楚指出，祂不害怕会被罪恶污染，祂的任务乃是要呼召罪人成为门徒，从而来“感染”他们呢！祂更表明，祂来的目的乃是要召罪人，我们可以想见，罪人所在之处，恰恰是我们应当期待能够遇见祂的地方！

你能否想像得到，耶稣也有兴趣并乐意与你一同坐席呢？

Tax collectors in those days were often despised because they overcharged people and kept some of the tax money for themselves. As a result, many tax collectors grew rich at the expense of others. And if you associated with a tax collector, you would be at risk of being despised as well.

When Jesus was seen eating with the tax collector Levi and his associates, the local religious leaders asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?” The question is clearly meant as a criticism of Jesus, but it can be a good question for us to wonder about. After all, was it wrong to be concerned that Jesus might be influenced by such corrupt people as tax collectors and the sinners they hung around with?

Well, maybe we need to think about this a different way. Can we assume that Jesus knew what he was doing? Can we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, loved Levi and wanted to become a part of his life and to show him what full life was about? Jesus makes clear that he is not afraid of being defiled by sin, and he is on task with “infecting” sinners with a call to discipleship! He also states that his purpose is to call sinners, so this is exactly where we should expect to see him!

Can you picture Jesus being interested and comfortable in coming to eat with you?