The Tax Collectors - A Devotional
The Well Hated Tax Collector
There is no one hated by a nation quite as much as an enemy collaborator. The
tax collectors in Israel at the time of Christ were the leaches that sucked the
financial blood out of the hard working laborers of Israeli society and
transferred it into the coffers of the occupying Roman Empire, taking as much as
they could for themselves.
The tax collector made a sizable living. But part of his pay was the derision,
disgust and isolation of his community. In rigid defiance he plodded through the
condemning faces, the whispers, the threats and rage, multiplying his wealth and
the emptiness of his soul.
Here comes the new preacher from Nazareth, offering as his credentials,
miracles, physical healing, and a voice of authority that even demonic presences
obey. Having spent another day plundering the strongholds of hell over His
people, He calls another to follow Him. Who would it be this time? It is
Matthew, a tax collector!
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go
home." And the man got up and went home.
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who
had given such authority to men. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named
Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and
Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's
house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his
disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your
teacher eat with tax collectors and `sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It
is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this
means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the
righteous, but sinners." Matt. 9:6-13
The great physician calls to all who are sick, knowing that the disease of
sin is terminal regardless of the kind of sin, degree of sin, or any biased
human method of quantifying it. All have fallen short of the glory of God, and
all are in desperate need of His love and forgiveness. The tax collectors that
followed Christ took their place in the long line of notorious sinners who were
grateful for the abundance of mercy that God offered and continues to offer to
all who will call upon His name.
Part of their message must be that if God can forgive an enemy collaborator, He
can forgive me. In the end, and by God�s standard, have we not all collaborated
with the true enemy of heaven? Haven�t we all been self-serving if we were
honest enough to admit it? Thank God there is room for the tax collectors, and
the sinners of all kinds in the Kingdom of Heaven, because that means that there
is also room for you and me.
Read The Bible
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Table of Contents
Main Menu
- Ancient Assyrian Social Structure
- Ancient Babylonia
- Ancient Canaan During the Time of Joshua
- Ancient History Timeline
- Ancient Oil Lamps
- Antonia Fortress
- Archaeology of Ancient Assyria
- Assyria and Bible Prophecy
- Augustus Caesar
- Background Bible Study
- Bible
- Biblical Geography
- Fallen Empires - Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible
- First Century Jerusalem
- Glossary of Latin Words
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Antipas
- Herod the Great
- Herod's Temple
- High Priest's in New Testament Times
- Jewish Literature in New Testament Times
- Library collection
- Map of David's Kingdom
- Map of the Divided Kingdom - Israel and Judah
- Map of the Ministry of Jesus
- Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
- Messianic Prophecy
- Nero Caesar Emperor
- Online Bible Maps
- Paul's First Missionary Journey
- Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Pontius Pilate
- Questions About the Ancient World
- Tabernacle of Ancient Israel
- Tax Collectors in New Testament Times
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
- The Books of the New Testament
- The Court of the Gentiles
- The Court of the Women in the Temple
- The Destruction of Israel
- The Fall of Judah with Map
- The History Of Rome
- The Incredible Bible
- The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
- The Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
- The Life of Jesus in Harmony
- The Names of God
- The New Testament
- The Old Testament
- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
- The Scribes
Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- What does biblical archaeologist said about hieroglyphics?
- Where is the Negev where Abram went to in Genesis?
- What is the name of Ramallah in the Bible?
- How do we approach and study the historical and cultural context of biblical passages?
- What is the significance of the Psalms in personal and corporate worship?
- How do we discern and apply biblical principles to contemporary ethical issues?
- What is the biblical perspective on the nature of God's love and mercy?
- How do we interpret and understand apocalyptic literature in the Bible?
- What are the different covenants in the Bible and their significance?
- How do we grow in spiritual maturity and develop a deeper understanding of the Word?
About
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.
Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.
Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.
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