Paul
Doxology
We'll See The Goodness Of
Break Every Chain
Everything
Jesus You Have Won Me

Jon
Mark 2:13-17
This is the fifth disciple that Jesus calls
Get comfortable with Mark
Look at the dimensions of Jesus’ ministry team
Looking at reconciliation and forgiveness
Feel like I need to clarify
Forgiveness is NOT forgetting
There are things we have done and that have been done against us
And I don’t think it’s good to try to forget them
When we talk about reconciliation, we always hope that it will be possible
We want to turn towards it, but it always take two to reconcile
Some relationships in terms of relationships and healthy boundaries
I’m not looking for reconciliation and now we’re BFFs
Knowing some of the stories and backgrounds I’ve heard, I’m no advising you re-engage old relationships
There are certain boundaries that need to be established
Reconciliation is going to happen either now of after, so we want to always turn to it, to always be walking towards it
This fifth person is going to create a great deal of tension on His team
Now I am reading in to some of that, but I’ll explain what I’m reading into
Review the first four
Mark 1:16
Simon and Andrew
Common fisherman, lower economic class
James and John, the sons of Zebedee
Different economic class, have hired hands and are in the deeper waters
Now all four are good Jewish boys, they love God they love the Torah
Maybe their families know each other, there are enough similarities that we can enjoy each other’s companies

Jesus went out beside the lake again. The whole crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he continued along, he saw Levi, Alphaeus’ son, sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Levi got up and followed him. Jesus sat down to eat at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples. Indeed, many of them had become his followers. When some of the legal experts from among the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why is he eating with sinners and tax collectors?” When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” (Mark 2:13-17 CEB)

Tax collection booth is a loaded statement
Talmud is the gathering of rabbinic laws
There, Jewish tax collectors were lumped in with thieves and murderers
Tax collectors were known for extortion because they worked for the enemy (Rome) and Rome turned a blind eye to any other practices that occurred as long as dithery got their cut
I’m speculating here, but Levi is a tax collector in Capernium
Because it’s a small town, I wonder if Levi ever collected from Simon or Andrew or James or John or from their families
You’re benefiting from our honesty
Even if not directly, he’s still a tax collector and everybody KNOWS what hey do
What if we brought someone on the ministry team here who had hurt or betrayed you previously? How would you feel?
What are the two greatest commandments? Love God, love your neighbor
What is love? Keeps no records of wrongs
That’s what we’re aiming for as Christians
If we’re serious about following Jesus
Remember, reconciliation doesn’t mean forgetting, just rebuilding a relationship
Not holding this against someone else
Jesus loves you and accepts you right where you are, but He doesn’t leave you there
If you wrong me, I will be hurt and frustrated, but if you hurt my wife or my family, it will be more
But as a follower, I can’t hold on to it
Jesus is very clear when He says love your enemies, forgive those who persecute you
A practice that has been helpful for me personally
I try to understand where that person is coming from
Trying to be slow to judge (and speak) and quick to listen
It can’t have been easy for Levi to get up and follow Jesus
Maybe we just need someone to believe is us for once
Instead of just staying with the label that’s given to us
I’m going to extend grace and change to you
If you’ve lied or cheated or betrayed someone else, it becomes a label that you put on and that others assign to you
Follow Me and we’re going to change you
I’m going to make something beautiful out of you
How does Levi react to Jesus’ invitation? He threw a party!
And he invited other tax collectors! And sinners!
Harlots and thieves and murderers
And Jesus throws these good Jewish boys into this melting pot
According to rabbinic law, table fellowship was the expression of social intercourse
The Pharisees, the keepers of the law made sure that everyone was observing these laws
And Jesus responds that He didn’t come for the healthy law-followers, He came for the sick
What is so beautiful about Jesus choice of companionship?
What’s running through the minds of James et. al.?
We can start by practicing reconciliation here and now
I want to give you a picture
A couple of years ago, we were robbed as a church
There was a Manhattan Beach gang that robbed 5 or 6 churches in their area
We had this incredible drum kit that was among the things stolen
When the kids got caught, one of the things they had to do was meet me and apologize to my face
And I’m thinking this will be interesting
And he admits that he got caught up in something
Now how would you feel if I invited these boys to lead worship for a few months?
I wonder what that would do to us
If you move on through the gospels, Jesus also adds a zealot to His team
Zealots were known for wanting to overthrow Roman control and slit Roman throats
Can you imagine the political arguments around the campfire?
It’s like having Rush Limbaugh and Hillary Clinton on the same team!
What is Jesus leading me towards and Your wisdom towards where You’re taking us