In all the large towns of Israel there were men at the gates or in the market places to collect the customs (tax) for the Roman government, which then ruled the land. These men were called publicans; they were Jews, but were despised by the leaders of their nation, who felt they were helping the Romans.
As Jesus walked through a town He came to the place where a publican, named Levi sat. This man had no doubt heard Jesus’ words, as He had taught in all places, and believed He was from God, and although he was despised by his nation, Jesus gave him the privilege to go with Him, saying, “Follow Me.”
Levi seems not to have hesitated to leave the work for the Roman ruler, although it meant losing his income; “he left all ... and followed Him.” Then he wanted to honor Jesus and to have others hear His words, so he made a feast at his house and invited many to come, and Jesus and the disciples were there.
Fault Finding
The scribes and Pharisees thought it was wrong to eat and be friends with publicans, and found fault with the disciples. This was Jesus’ answer to their objection, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”
That meant Jesus was as a physician to those who knew they were sinners, and not fit for God, but those who thought they were “whole,” or fit for God, did not know they needed Him to save or “cure” them.
The Pharisees also found fault that Jesus’ disciples did not fast often, and make public prayers. To go without food was a sign of sorrow; Jesus showed them His disciples were not then in sorrow, for He, as a Bridegroom, was with them. He said the time would come when “the Bridegroom” would be gone; then His followers would “fast” with sorrow.
It is often told that Jesus prayed, and His disciples must have prayed, but not repeating long prayers in public as these men expected.
Joy and the Bridegroom
Perhaps if you think of what Jesus said, that the “children”, or family, of the Bridegroom would “fast’’ when He was gone, it will help you to understand why Christians do not try all the pleasures of those who do not believe the Lord. While He is gone is not the time of great pleasure to them, although they joy in His love and care; their great joy will be in Heaven. When He comes to reign over the earth, all here will rejoice, as the Psalms tell (see Psalm 150).
“No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old ... and no man putteth new wine into old bottles.”
The law was the old torn garment, but the Lord Jesus was teaching them the new ways of grace and truth, which were to trust the person of the Son of God.
Wine spoke of joy, but the joys in Christ could not be put back in the “old bottles” of the law, for that could not hold the wonderful new joy in Him.
Further Meditation
1. What does it mean that some thought they were “whole”?
2. We live in a world that feeds on instant gratification. We all want what we want when we want it. We are promised the right color clothing, in the right style with the right features at a sale price. Where is the true joy of a Christian found and how do we focus on it?
3. If you’ve been meditating on the subject of joy for a Christian then you might find, The Secret to a Happy Fruitful Christian Life: Part 1 Where True Joy Is Found and How it Is Sustained by B. Anstey to be a real encouragement to your soul and a simple article to read.