21 Feb 26 | The Physician Who Dines with the Sick
Jesus calls a compromised man into discipleship and reveals that His mission is not separation from sinners but redemptive communion with them.
The Gospel: Luke 5:27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
Today’s Focus
In this Gospel, Jesus calls Levi from a life associated with compromise into immediate discipleship, demonstrating that His authority over sin extends to those most visibly marked by it. By dining with tax collectors and sinners, He does not dilute holiness but reveals its true character: redemptive nearness rather than guarded distance. The Physician moves toward the sick not to affirm their condition, but to heal it. Discipleship, therefore, is not defined by isolation from the broken but by faithful engagement that reflects Christ’s mercy without surrendering fidelity.
In the Margins
This passage follows a sequence of authoritative acts, including the healing of the paralytic, the forgiveness of sins, and subsequent public astonishment at His authority. Immediately after demonstrating authority over sin, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector.
In first-century Judea, tax collectors worked for Rome. They were associated with economic exploitation of others and often added surcharges to enrich themselves even more. They were not just disliked, they were seen as enemy collaborators. Eating with them would have been viewed as eating with an enemy of the state.
This call to discipleship have been scandalous in the eyes of many. What we know is that Levi, a likely wealthy individual who had a job that afforded him a level of power and authority over other Jews, left everything behind to follow when called. This is similar to Peter who left his nets, as well as James and John leaving their boats. Levi’s response here is total submission done immediately.
Levi not only accepts, but throws a banquet. By eating with these sinners, Jesus was opening Himself up to question. It could have looked like acceptance of these acts to be seen in fellowship with them. Jesus entered into this situation to draw the Word closer to these people, something the Pharisees objected to. They sought to preserve holiness through separation from perceived impurity, while Jesus demonstrated a holiness that moved toward sinners for the sake of healing.
Jesus is not affirming that some are truly righteous and need no repentance. Just as healthy people still go in for “well-checks” with their doctor. Instead, He is making the point that His focus is there to address those who recognize their own need of help. Jesus connects with the Old Testament deeply here, such as Ezekiel with the shepherd seeking the lost, Hosea with the husband restoring the unfaithful, and Hosea describing one who desires mercy.
This passage shows us that being a disciple of Jesus is not about withdrawal. It is engagement without personal moral compromise. Those that are in most need of help and salvation are those who either do not know the word of God, or those who are stuck in situations of sin.
This passage challenges disciples to reflect on how they embody Christ’s mercy without compromising fidelity. The message is clear, we are not called to build tall walls to protect what we view as holiness. This can be applied figuratively and literally. Instead, we are called to take the word to those that need it without losing our love and following of Christ along the way.
Reflection Question
Do I keep a safe distance from those who need grace most, or do I reflect Christ’s mercy while remaining rooted in His truth?
A Small Invitation
If this reflection helped you, consider sharing it with someone who may be carrying more than they were meant to.