2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Monday, September 21
Festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
“… “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” …”
Jesus’ presence at the table with the tax collectors and sinners gets under the skin of those who consider themselves righteous. That’s because, in their mind, only sinners associate with sinners. A righteous person would typically avoid the unrighteous for fear of being infected. That was especially true about sitting down for meal because it also implied acceptance – something no righteous person could tolerate.
However, Jesus turns that logic on its head in his response. “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Jesus’ mission is to those who do not consider themselves righteous. In fact, many who shared a meal with the Lord throughout his ministry were convinced of their unrighteousness. They were not worthy to have Jesus sit at their table yet there he was.
That is mercy. That is the grace of God at work. That is what Jesus offers. He comes to call we who are unrighteous, unworthy, and unholy to be his disciples. He comes to call sinners into his kingdom – not because we are naturally righteous or consider ourselves so, but because through the cross and empty tomb, Jesus makes us righteous.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, Jesus, for the gift of Your mercy and grace that makes me righteous despite my unrighteousness, makes me holy despite my unholiness, and makes me worthy despite my unworthiness. Amen.