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On Tuesday I taught the youth from Luke 5:27–32, where Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow Him. Levi responds by hosting a banquet for Jesus, inviting other tax collectors and “sinners.” The Pharisees and scribes are upset that Jesus would eat with such people. Jesus replies, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick… I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

To help the students understand why tax collectors were so hated, I explained that they collected money for Rome and often took extra for themselves. Then we did an exercise called “penny tax.” I gave each student 50 cents and a “52732 Form” that charged them taxes for things like siblings, meals, grade level, electronics, and bathrooms. After they calculated what they owed, I added 10 extra cents “because I can.” They were frustrated and angry—exactly how many Jews felt about tax collectors at the time.

Then I asked them to imagine that while feeling that anger, Jesus invites the tax collector to follow Him and even eats at his house. How would they feel? What did Jesus mean about the sick needing a doctor?

One student said, “Jesus came to help sinners stop sinning—but technically everyone is a sinner, so He came for everyone.” That captured the heart of the message. The heart of this story is that Jesus doesn’t wait for people to become worthy — He calls them first. The Pharisees also needed grace, but they believed God wanted nothing to do with people like Levi. Jesus showed otherwise. By calling Levi and sharing a meal with sinners, He revealed that no one is beyond God’s invitation.

We don’t become worthy of Jesus by fixing ourselves first. We change because we follow Him. Just as Levi was called while still imperfect, we too are called as we are.

During Lent, may we recognize our own need for grace and remember that the good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone.

Pastor Tae Park