PUBLICANS & SINNERS

After the wonderful miracle Worker had completed His work at Capernaum  "... he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. " (Mk.2:13) The great Teacher taught all who would listen to His all wise instruction; and they which heard and believed found the True Fountain of life! It is of note that we consider that "all the multitude resorted unto Him" but not many believed on Him. For we find in the account that; after calling Levi to the ministry Yahshua was at his house for a meal. At this meal we begin to learn the various motives of those who flocked to Him.

Yahshua ate with the "publicans and sinners" as they as well as He, was invited to the meal. Now comes motive 1. "  And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners"? (Mk.2:16)

Now the Scribes and Pharisees were leaders of the children of Abraham (according to the flesh) however we see them using their influence in a strange way. We note that they do not question Yahshua directly but go to His disciples to sow some seeds. And what type of seeds did they sow? " How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners"? (Mk.2:16)  Many things can be accomplished; for good or evil through asking questions. As we look more closely at the nature of this question we discover the following:
1. The question was put to the disciples.
2. We can hear in this question the ire of incredulity
3. How can this be the Messiah when He eats with such people as this? "publicans and sinners"
4. Publicans were considered traitors of the Jews and was thus hated.
5. The common sinner was looked upon as having no special significances to YHWH and were considered unclean and was avoided so to keep one pure from ceremonial defilement.
6.  Is this the work that Messiah was to do when He comes to earth?
7. Do we look for One who is to thus spend His time?

Thus the seeds of unbelief and dissent was sown among the wheat so that the entire crop would be destroyed. (Remember the story of the Wheat and the Tares)?

But the wise Teacher and Prophet saw through their veiled zeal for Messiah and went straightway to the heart of the matter.

"When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mk.2:17)

As Yahshua's teaching goes forth today ; in many ways; the "christian" multitude flock to see Him. In that multitude are many leaders & people of power and influence. They, like the Scribes and Pharisees of Yahshua's day use the opportunity to sow seeds of unbelief and discord. They go not into the Kingdom of Heaven, neither suffer (allow) those who are entering to go in. Tares are sown in the field (churches) and the harvest is now becoming apparent. Yahshua uses this opportunity to state the purpose of His mission: ".... I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mk.2:17)

To those who consider themselves to be righteous in there own eyes.....His Teaching is not for them. They consider themselves to be of great spiritual significance to YHWH and as such they view themselves and all who do not meet their narrow criterion are looked upon with no friendly eyes. To such the prophecy speaks: Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: (Jer.5:21) But to those who come to Him with His implanted motives of confession, repentance, and seeking to do His will He says: " If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself." (Jn.7:17)