The Message of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Luke 5:27-32
Imagine a world where only the most qualified, the most moral, and the most esteemed individuals were invited to meet with a king.
The common, the broken, and the outcasts would have no chance of standing in his presence.
Yet, when Jesus, the King of Kings, came to earth, He did the opposite of what was expected—He called the unqualified, the sinners, and the despised.
In Luke 5:27-32, we see a striking example of this when Jesus calls Levi, also known as Matthew, a tax collector.
Tax collectors were some of the most hated people in Jewish society.
They were seen as traitors who worked for the oppressive Roman government, often overcharging their own people to make themselves rich.
In the eyes of the religious leaders, Levi was beyond redemption.
Yet, Jesus saw something different—He saw a man who needed grace.
This encounter reveals the heart of Jesus’ message.
He did not come to affirm the self-righteous or to uphold man-made religious expectations.
He came to seek and to save those who knew they were lost.
This passage teaches us three key truths about Jesus’ message:
It is a message of invitation.
Jesus calls sinners to follow Him, regardless of their past.
It is a message of compassion.
Jesus reaches out to the outcasts and welcomes them to Himself.
It is a message of correction.
Jesus confronts the self-righteous and reveals their need for repentance.
A hospital does not exist for those who are already well, but for those who are sick.
Imagine walking into a hospital and seeing people turned away because they were too sick to be treated!
That would be absurd.
Yet, this was the attitude of the Pharisees—they thought that only the outwardly righteous were worthy of God's kingdom, while sinners should be cast aside.
But Jesus, the Great Physician, came to heal the brokenhearted and call sinners to Himself.
As we study this passage, let’s ask ourselves:
Do we see ourselves in need of Christ’s call, or do we think we are already righteous?
Do we have the same compassion for sinners that Jesus displayed?
Do we share the message of Jesus with the lost, or do we keep it to ourselves?
With these questions in mind, let’s examine the message of Jesus and how it should shape our lives.
I. The Call of Jesus - A Call to Follow
I. The Call of Jesus - A Call to Follow
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
In this passage, we see Jesus extending a life-changing invitation to a man named Levi (Matthew).
This call is remarkable because it breaks every social and religious expectation.
Jesus did not go to the synagogues to call a religious scholar or a morally upright leader—He went to the tax collector’s booth to call one of the most despised men in society.
This call of Jesus teaches us three important truths:
A. A Surprising Choice
A. A Surprising Choice
He “saw a publican, named Levi” (v. 27)
Tax collectors were considered the worst of sinners by the Jews.
They were seen as traitors because they collected taxes for the Roman government, often overcharging their own people to fill their own pockets.
In Jewish culture, tax collectors were lumped together with thieves and harlots.
They were socially and religiously outcast.
Yet, Jesus saw Levi—not just a tax collector, but a man with a soul, a man with potential, a man who needed grace.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Think of how often people judge a book by its cover.
A tattered, old book on a shelf might be ignored, yet inside, it could contain priceless wisdom.
Jesus did not judge by outward appearances—He saw what Levi could become in Him.
Jesus sees beyond our failures and labels.
He calls those whom society rejects.
No matter what your past looks like, Jesus is calling you to follow Him.
B. A Simple Command
B. A Simple Command
“Follow me”
Jesus’ invitation to Levi was not complicated—two simple words: Follow me.
Jesus did not give Levi a list of religious requirements before calling him.
He didn’t demand that Levi clean up his life first. He simply called him to follow.
The same call goes out to each of us today.
Jesus doesn’t call us because we are qualified—He qualifies us through His grace.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Think of his call to the disciples, and their quick obedience.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Imagine a coach calling a player off the bench.
He doesn’t say, “Prove to me you’re good enough first.”
He simply says, “Get in the game.”
Jesus does not wait for us to be “good enough” before calling us—He calls us as we are.
Have you responded to Jesus’ call?
He is not asking for perfection—He is asking for surrender.
Are you quick to obey, like the disciples?
C. A Sudden Change
C. A Sudden Change
“He left all, rose up, and followed him” (v. 28)
Levi’s response was immediate and total.
He left everything to follow Jesus.
This was not a small decision—he left behind a lucrative job.
Unlike fishermen, who could return to fishing, a tax collector could not reclaim his position.
True discipleship requires surrender and commitment.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Imagine the disciples hearing Jesus say this.
This is some time after Peter, James and John and the others have been following Him.
Imagine thinking…wait…take up my what?
Another aspect of this that I have often thought about is the fact that this is before Jesus died on the cross.
The context, and the significance of a cross is completely clear to us…but it wouldn’t have been to the disciples…not yet.
They were just being told to pick up a despised, humiliating, object and follow him.
And yet they did.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
I remember the significant decision of walking away from a good paying, consistent job to go into ministry.
It was not a decision my wife and I took lightly.
But there has never been a day that I have regretted it!
That’s exactly what Levi did—he gave up earthly riches for eternal rewards.
Is there anything holding you back from following Jesus fully?
Have you left behind the things that hinder your walk with Christ?
Levi’s response was not just to follow Jesus privately—he immediately wanted others to know about Him.
This brings us to the next aspect of Jesus’ message: His compassion for sinners.
II. The Compassion of Jesus – A Mission to Sinners
II. The Compassion of Jesus – A Mission to Sinners
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
After Levi (Matthew) answered Jesus' call, his first response was to invite others to meet Jesus.
He held a great feast at his house and invited his fellow tax collectors and sinners.
This gathering provides a beautiful picture of Jesus’ compassion—He did not come for the righteous, but for sinners.
While the Pharisees were quick to condemn, Jesus was quick to extend mercy.
I believe that this passage reveals three key aspects of Jesus’ compassion.
A. A Joyful Gathering
A. A Joyful Gathering
“Levi made him a great feast” (v. 29)
Levi didn’t just leave his old life—he celebrated his new life in Christ!
His first instinct was not isolation but invitation—he wanted others to know Jesus.
He used his home, his resources, and his connections to introduce people to Christ.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Imagine a starving beggar who finds a banquet. Would he keep it to himself or invite others to the feast?
This is exactly what happened in 2 Kings 7.
The Syrian army had surrounded Samaria and shut off the city.
Everyone inside the city was starving to death.
Four lepers decided to go ahead and turn themselves into the Syrian army, perhaps they would feed them as captives.
But when they got there they found that God had caused the Syrian army to hear sounds of an invading army and they fled in a panic leaving everything behind.
At first the lepers were over joyed and stuffing themselves, but then they realized what they were doing and came and told the king so that all could enjoy the spoils.
It is well known that it would be horribly selfish to find something so good, and yet keep it for themselves.
Levi understood that knowing Jesus was too good to keep to himself.
Do we celebrate our salvation, or have we lost the joy of knowing Christ?
Do we invite others to meet Jesus, or do we keep Him to ourselves?
Who can you invite to “the feast” of God’s grace?
B. A Scandalous Guest List
B. A Scandalous Guest List
“A great company of publicans and of others sat down with them” (v. 29)
The Pharisees would never have attended a meal with tax collectors.
They avoided “sinners” to maintain their own reputation.
But Jesus was not concerned with social status…
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
He didn’t excuse their sin, but He also didn’t exclude them from His love.
Imagine a doctor who refuses to treat sick patients because he doesn’t want to be around disease.
That would be absurd!
Yet, that was the attitude of the Pharisees.
And unfortunately the attitude of many Christians today!
Jesus, the Great Physician, willingly came to heal those who needed Him.
Do we see people through Jesus’ eyes? Or do we avoid “messy” sinners?
Are we more concerned with protecting our image or fulfilling our mission?
Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ?
C. A Self-Righteous Complaint
C. A Self-Righteous Complaint
“Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (v. 30)
The Pharisees were offended that Jesus would eat with sinners.
Their pride blinded them—they saw themselves as righteous and others as unworthy.
Instead of rejoicing that sinners were coming to Jesus, they criticized Him.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The Pharisees criticizing Jesus would be like a drowning man criticizing a lifeguard for getting wet while saving him.
The Pharisees failed to see that they were drowning in their own sin while condemning Jesus for rescuing sinners.
Do we have a Pharisaical attitude toward sinners?
Do we rejoice when broken people come to Christ, or do we judge them?
Are we extending grace, or just expecting others to clean up first?
Now we see Jesus responds to the Pharisees with a powerful statement that summarizes His entire mission: He did not come for those who think they are righteous, but for those who know they are sinners.
This brings us to our final point—the correction of Jesus.
III. The Correction of Jesus – A Purpose for His Coming
III. The Correction of Jesus – A Purpose for His Coming
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ criticism with a profound statement that summarizes His entire mission.
He corrects their flawed understanding of righteousness and reveals why He came—to save sinners.
The religious leaders believed they were spiritually well, but Jesus exposes their blindness.
His words provide a correction to their self-righteous thinking and a clarification of His purpose.
This passage reveals three truths about why Jesus came.
A. A Doctor for the Spiritually Sick
A. A Doctor for the Spiritually Sick
“They that are whole need not a physician” (v. 31)
Jesus uses a simple analogy: A doctor does not exist for those who are well, but for those who are sick.
The Pharisees believed they were spiritually healthy, so they saw no need for a Savior.
The problem was not that they were righteous, but that they were blind to their own sin.
It is Jesus who brings our healing.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.
But far too many, even still today, believe they are doing just fine on their own.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Many people reject Jesus because they don’t see their need for Him.
Do we see ourselves as sinners in need of Jesus every day, or do we think we are “good enough” on our own?
Are we pointing others to the Great Physician, or are we acting like we don’t need Him?
B. A Savior for the Sinners
B. A Savior for the Sinners
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (v. 32)
Jesus clarifies His mission—He did not come for those who think they are righteous, but for those who know they are sinners.
This does not mean the Pharisees were truly righteous—they just refused to acknowledge their sin.
Repentance is at the heart of the gospel.
Jesus came not to affirm sinners in their sin, but to call them out of it.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Only by seeing His grace and mercy can we have any hope.
We must humble ourselves to see what God sees.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Many reject salvation because they don’t think they need it.
Have you acknowledged your need for Jesus, or are you trusting in your own righteousness?
Do we share the gospel with sinners, or do we avoid them like the Pharisees?
Who in your life needs to hear Jesus’ call to repentance?
C. A Warning to the Self-Righteous
C. A Warning to the Self-Righteous
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The greatest danger is not being a sinner—the greatest danger is refusing to admit it.
It’s not wrong to be wrong, it’s just wrong not to admit that your wrong.
The Pharisees thought their religious works made them righteous, but they were just as lost as the tax collectors.
Jesus constantly warned against self-righteousness:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
In speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, he said…
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
If a man that has a fatal illness refuses treatment because he believes he is fine, His belief does not change his condition.
The Pharisees thought they were righteous, but they were spiritually dying.
Are we more like the Pharisees or the tax collectors in this story?
Do we see others’ sins more clearly than our own?
Do we rely on grace, or do we trust in our own goodness?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus’ message is clear: He calls the undeserving, shows compassion to sinners, and corrects the self-righteous.
Levi responded with immediate obedience—have we answered Jesus’ call?
The Pharisees responded with criticism and rejection—do we have a self-righteous attitude?
Jesus is still calling sinners to repentance today.
Will you answer His call?
Charles Spurgeon once said:
"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees."
Jesus came to save sinners—are we doing our part to bring them to Him?
If you have never trusted Christ, He is calling you today.
If you have been hesitant to reach the lost, ask God to give you Jesus’ heart for sinners.
Will you follow Him fully, as Levi did?
