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27. And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.28. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.29. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.30. But the scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?31. And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 31. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Luke 5:27-31 Christ has healed the man of palsy, and now He traveled to the sea side. His purpose was to call Levi, a publican, to follow Him and become a disciple. Now a publican was a Jew hired by Roman officials to collect taxes, they had a few subordinates who would do the actual collecting, and this led to corruption, as they increased the tax to fill their pockets. This was one of the most basest of all livelihoods and regarded as traitors to their fellow countrymen. This Levi wrote the Gospel according to Matthew. Jesus sees Levi, and says follow me and he left all to follow Christ. Before leaving all behind, he makes a great feast at his house. The religious leaders inquire why He would eat with publicans who were hated and sinners who were outcasts. To bring an accusation against Christ so as to ruin His reputation. Christ responded with people who are well do not seek the services of a doctor. Meaning the religious leaders and many of our time do not see themselves as sick with sin and Christ is calling those that know they are sinners and they are sick of it. Only those that own up to their condition will seek help. And Christ is the only answer. The great Physician and the Good Shepherd, knows how to cure the disease of sin, and to lead those traveling to destruction, onto the path of eternal life. Amen.