Jesus calls another disciple to follow him. This time he calls Levi who was sitting at the tax booth. Jesus again will call the unusual suspect to be one of his disciples. He called fishermen earlier and now he calls a tax collector. A tax collector was despised because they would collect taxes for the Roman government. They were known for collecting more tax than was needed and keeping some for themselves. This makes this choice even more confusing from the outside. Jesus sees more than the external and chose Levi because he saw something more.

Levi throws a great feast for Jesus and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others at this feast. The Pharisees and scribes began to grumble and question why Jesus would eat with sinners. Jesus gave them a clear answer. Those who are well don’t need to see a physician but those who ill certainly do. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. This is a good thing for us because we are all sinners in need of a savior. Jesus doesn’t judge by the world’s standards but gives all people the chance to come to repentance.

Another question arises about the disciples lack of fasting. The disciples of John and the Pharisees each spend time fasting but the disciples of Jesus do not. Jesus explains that for them, now is not the time to fast. Jesus is here and there is much to learn and they must be busy with these things. He uses 2 examples to make his point. The old garment does not receive a piece torn from a new garment to mend it. New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. The disciples were part of something new and different. They did not understand everything but they needed to keep learning. There would be time after Jesus ascended for them to fast but now was not that time.