Next Matthew is called. Mark and Luke refer to Matthew as Levi. Matthew was sitting at his tax collectors booth when Jesus called him. The call from God can come at the strangest times, and apparently out of the blue. The important thing is that Jesus called him, and Matthew obeyed.
Jesus then went to Matthew's house for dinner. Many other tax collectors and "sinners" came along. When God calls you one of His aims will be often be to reach the people you know. The circumstances and situations of our life have been arranged by God so that His purposes can be fulfilled.
The Pharisees were shocked at this. They considered tax collectors and sinners beyond the pale, and one should not associate with them. We really need to beware of religious attitudes, for they inevitably mean that we will miss the true purpose of God. Jesus came to save sinners. This is His very purpose. And if only they would have eyes to see, the Pharisees would realise that they too were sinners in need of mercy.
Jesus points them to the Bible (Hosea 6:6) to see the purpose of God. Now this would be very galling for the Pharisees, for they prided themselves on their knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Jesus is clear that they actually understood very little. This is a warning to all of us. If ever we start taking pride in our knowledge or understanding then we are in grave danger of missing the real point of God's word.
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