Mark 2:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is man that You concern Yourself with him, or the son of man that You regard him? (Psalm 143:3). Listen, sinners, and comprehend! The infinite and unfathomable God has made Himself accessible, so that all may approach Him. The sinners recognized their Redeemer, the weak acknowledged their Healer, the lost sheep found their Shepherd, those dwelling in darkness were drawn to their Light, and the despondent sought their Life, while the impoverished found their Joy as they drew near to Him. The divine authority, the humanity of His sacred visage, and the heavenly and glorious message of His holiness captivated them. They perceived in Jesus nothing but humility, gentleness, patience, mercy, compassion, and true humanity. Sinners, why do we linger in slumber? Why do we hesitate? Why do we remain distant from Jesus? Why do we dwell in darkness? Why do we not approach the Light? Why do we endure unhealed when the heavenly Healer is near? Come! Let us approach Him with confidence and belief, for our faces shall not be put to shame (Psalm 33:6).

Thus, it is evident that the statement holds true and is deserving of our acceptance: Christ Jesus entered the world to redeem sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus Christ came for sinners, and He became accessible to them. However, sinners must heed His call: Repent, as He stated: I did not come to summon the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matt. 4:17; 9:13). Sinners are called to repent and transform their lives; only then will Christ offer them salvation. Therefore, genuine repentance brings consolation to sinners. If He has come to save sinners, then He has come to save you, for you are among them. If He seeks the lost, He will also seek you, as you are one of the lost.

We see that true holiness does not turn away from sinners. The genuinely holy person detests sin but loves the sinner; they abhor sins but feel compassion for those who commit them. The scribes and Pharisees, puffed up by their own perceived sanctity, scorned sinners and questioned the apostles: Why does your Master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? (Matthew 9:11). Yet Christ, the holiest of all and the Source of sanctity, rejected no sinner. His holy servants reflect this same attitude: they disdain sins but cherish and feel sympathy for the sinner. Let the arrogant pride of the Pharisees be shamed, for they look down upon sinners like themselves!

From this, shepherds should learn how to engage with sinners and lead them towards repentance, while refraining from participating in their sins. The shepherd's role is to seek lost sheep, and good healers are often found among the sick. It is not those who are well who need a physician, but the ill (Matthew 9:12).

Moreover, lords, princes, nobles, those in positions of authority, and all Christians should refrain from despising or belittling any individual, no matter how lowly they may seem. Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, accepted all without disdain. Those exalted in this world should likewise recognize that no person is beneath them. We share the same human nature, with all noble individuals possessing the same soul and body as the humble. Oftentimes, a stranger may stand upright before God while a noble may not, and a servant or peasant may possess greater worth in God's eyes than his master, prince, or nobleman. For the value and integrity of a person are not determined by wealth, title, or worldly status, but by the purity of soul and the nobility of virtue. God judges according to what lies within, not the outward appearance. One devout and God-fearing individual holds more value to God than thousands of ungodly souls, even if they are revered as gods in this life. Therefore, all Christians should look towards Christ their Lord, the living embodiment of humility and compassion, and strive to emulate Him in every aspect without disregarding anyone.

Consequently, the arrogant pride of lords, princes, and nobles, who view their servants as beneath them or even lower than their dogs, and the wealthy who scorn the poor and afflicted, is called into question. Indeed, the earth and its inhabitants are but dust (Sir. 10:9). What folly for one sinner to scorn another! What absurdity for the poor to disdain their fellow poor! All people are equal, even though not all share in equal fortune in this life. Princes, nobles, lords, and those esteemed in society! Look upon the graves of your ancestors, and you will recognize the truth that all individuals, whether noble or humble, are of equal worth. It is the mark of a noble heart to show sympathy and kindness towards the poor and sinful, not to scorn or reject them.

By choosing Matthew as one of His closest disciples, the Lord intended to illustrate His mission of calling sinners to repentance. Just as among those labeled as sinners there may exist individuals who are not morally worse than those who consider themselves righteous, similarly, within the ranks of the so-called righteous, there can be several who are truly sinful. Matthew's prompt decision to heed the Lord's summons demonstrated that he was indeed worthy of this divine invitation, much like the other apostles. However, Matthew desired more than this. In an act of gratitude for the Lord's merciful calling, he confidently invited Him to share a meal with himself and his companions, extending the invitation to many fellow tax collectors.

The Lord, recognizing Matthew's goodwill and knowing that his actions could inspire others in similar situations, accepted the invitation. He intended for the Pharisees to comprehend the meaning behind His choice. Yet, they failed to perceive it correctly.