The Unexpected Christ - Mark 2:13-17

Cody Hale

Advent 2023: Why He Came • Sermon • Submitted 6 months ago • Presented 6 months ago

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Introduction

Christmas time is a time of expectation, isn’t it? We remember how the whole earth ached with anticipation of the coming of Christ. And, we think of how we wait with expectation for him to return to us again. That’s how gifts can help us celebrate Christ. It’s not just in the giving, but in the waiting. The earth waited with anticipation for the gift of God’s Son, and we wait still for the gift of his return.

I know the expectations for gifts in the Hale household are at an all-time high. Our youngest is old enough to know what’s happening, and our oldest is old enough to want the big stuff. And, there’s a tension when giving gifts, isn’t there? Especially when expectations are high. The higher the expectations, the greater the opportunity for disappointment. Every person who has given a gift to their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, or kids has felt this. You want them to receive the gift and know they are loved and cared for.

Well, it turns out the tension of disappointment has something to teach us about the first Christmas, too. God gave us his greatest gift, his very own Son, but many of those who had been waiting for him ended up being disappointed by him. In fact, the very ones who most expected him and most anticipated his arrival were the most disappointed. They expected a different kind of Savior than the One God gave.

God’s Word

But, Jesus didn’t come to meet our expectations. He came to meet what grace and justice demand. In fact, Jesus explicitly tells us why He came. We call the four Sundays leading up to Christmas “Advent.” “Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is Jesus’ first advent, and his return will be his second advent. And, there’s a half a dozen or so times in the gospels where Jesus explicitly says, “I came that...” So, I want us to look at four of those instances during this Advent season so that we can have the right expectations of Jesus. We’ll start by seeing How Jesus Didn’t Meet Expectations: (Headline)

Jesus “called” unexpected “disciples.”

The Dream Team is the greatest assembled team in the history of sports, and I won’t even hear any arguments otherwise. Now, for all my Gen Z friends who don’t know what I’m talking about, in 1992 NBA players were allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time, and Team USA loaded itself with first ballot Hall of Fame players, most of whom were in their prime. We’re talking Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Clyde “the Glide” Drexler, and “the Admiral” David Robinson. Do I need to keep going? They beat their opponents by an average of 44 points on their way to the Gold.

When we think of building a team, this is the kind of team we think of building, isn’t it? And, your expectation would be that if the Son of God came to earth to start a team who would change the world that this is the type of team he’d use, wouldn’t you? Nope, Jesus didn’t even choose the B team. He called guys out of fishing boats and tax booths. Jesus’ team was the least expected team possible. Why?

He doesn’t “see” what we “see.”

Mark 2:14 “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”

Mark 2:16 “And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

There’s an emphasis in chapter two on seeing. It’s what drives the passage forward. Jesus “saw” Levi sitting in the tax booth. That’s what led him to go to him and invite him to be his disciple. And, the Pharisees “saw” Jesus hanging out with sinners and tax collectors.

The unexpected shock of this passage begins with Jesus approaching Levi (or Matthew). Tax collectors were the worst of the worst, the lowest of the low in Jewish society. They liked their Roman occupiers more. Tax collectors had were fellow Jews who got wealthy by overtaxing their people and keeping the profits for themselves. They were thought of like a first century mafia. They were excluded from worship in the Synagogue and were declared perpetually unclean. They were viewed as a disgrace to their families and a scar on their society. If a tax collector touched your house, he made it unclean. These were the kinds of people you avoided at all costs.

But, not Jesus. Jesus “saw” something different than the Pharisees “saw.” The Pharisees saw what these people had done and who they were. Jesus saw who Matthew was created to be and who He would make him to be. The Pharisees saw Matthew and were repulsed. Jesus saw Matthew and loved him.

How often do we “see” with the eyes of the Pharisees instead of the eyes of Jesus? It affects how we see ourselves. Some of you think you are nothing more than the mistakes you’ve made. You’re still beating yourself up for college or the divorce or the way you’ve disappointed others. Your reality is wallpapered with reminders of all of your failures and all of your sins. You believe that you’ll go to heaven because of Jesus, but you don’t believe there’s anything He can do with you right now. Oh, Jesus doesn’t see what you see!

This affects how we view others, too. We see others through the eyes of the Pharisees, and we look down upon them. We know the truth about their debt or their children or their past. They may smile, but it won’t fool me. We think, “How can that person sing on stage or speak up in class or act like they love Jesus.” Oh, Jesus doesn’t see what you see. Jesus doesn’t see us for what we’ve done. He sees us through what He’s done on the cross.

And, that’s why...

He doesn’t “use” who we’d “use.”

Mark 2:14 “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”

Mark 2:16 “And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

I mean, honestly, out of all the characters in this story, who would you use? You have Levi sitting at a tax collection booth actively robbing his people. That’s a no-go from me. Then, you have a house filled with “tax collectors and sinners.” That’s dead on arrival. Then, there are the theologically conservative, seminary trained “scribes of the Pharisees.” That is, it’s not just the Pharisees. It’s the cream of the crop. It’s those who think about the Bible and ministry and keeping the Law all day, every day. Certainly, the expectation is that God would use the spiritually elite to bring spiritual renewal through his Messiah. That’s who we would choose, right?

But, Jesus doesn’t use who we would use. He uses the most unexpected people to accomplish the most extraordinary work. This tax collector would be martyred as a missionary planting churches in Ethiopia. Let me ask you. If you were planning to reach Ethiopia with the gospel, would you have thought to look in the tax booth?

When I was a youth pastor, we had a quiet, junior high girl come forward to pray at the altar. She began to come week after week. Finally, I told her I noticed she’d been praying each week and asked her if I could help. She told me that she had lunch with a group of friends at lunch and she felt like she needed to tell them about Jesus, but she was so shy. So, for the whole summer, she prayed and prayed that God would give her the courage to say something, anything. That year, five of her friends were saved. One of them, Keith Wilson, is a deacon and teacher in our church today. She wasn’t the one you’d expect, but she was the one Jesus used. He’ll use you, and He can use any, single person sitting beside you. He isn’t looking for your resume. He’s looking for your willingness to leave the tax booth and follow him.

Jesus “kept” unexpected “company.”

It’s often said that it’s not what you know but who you know that matters. Or, maybe even more precisely, who knows you. That is, we recognize that the trajectory of our lives is affected by the network that we have. Having the right people on your side can open opportunities, and having the wrong people against you can extinguish them. People join clubs and groups, even churches, that they don’t like just so they can network with the right people and open up opportunities for themselves.

Well, Mark 2 shows us that Jesus gets an F in networking.

He had the wrong “friends.”

Mark 2:15 “And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.”

Matthew found in Jesus someone worth following, yes, but he also found a friend. That’s the picture in verse 15. Matthew throws a party, and he invites the only poor saps in the world willing to be seen in public with him — “tax collectors and sinners.” That is, it’s a house filled with Matthews. Now, it matters today with whom you associate yourself, but it mattered much more in those days. You were who your social circle said you were. A person’s status was determined by his friends and social status, and a rabbi’s respect was determined by the quality of disciple he attracted. Jesus isn’t just having a conversation. He’s “reclined” with them. It’s a posture of intimacy and friendship. With acquaintances, you ate at a table. With friends, you “reclined” on a couch or in the floor with them.

Jesus isn’t just tolerating the outcasts. He’s a friend to them. That’s important to see. So, you can understand the scandalized question that the Pharisees ask: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”Jesus is apparently ruining his reputation because of the people with whom He associates. Now, “follow(ed)” is Mark’s key phrase of discipleship, and you’ll notice it at the end of verse 15. So, the implication seems to be that “many tax collectors and sinners…followed him” and were his disciples.

Mark is showing us how and with whom Jesus is building his kingdom. Everyone would’ve expected it to be with the Pharisees and spiritual elites, but it was the last of society that He would make first. We ought to never be shocked yet always amazed with whom Jesus builds his church. After all, I’m here, and you’re here. You realize that Jesus doesn’t raise his status by hanging out with you, right? Doesn’t that show you, then, that He just wants to be with you because He loves you? Jesus doesn’t tolerate you because He needs you for anything. He’s friend to you because He wants to be. Some of you don’t even have a framework for a relationship like that, but that’s the unexpected offer that Jesus came to make.

But, Jesus didn’t just have the wrong friends...

He had the wrong “enemies.”

Mark 2:16 “And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

Imagine with me the discomfort of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus has put them in a tough spot, which by the way, is a great way to teach people. First of all, they’re just getting used to spending time with one another all day, every day. And, suddenly, Jesus throws off the team chemistry by inviting a tax collector in that nobody would’ve liked. How many of us would’ve peaced out when we realized we had to spend all our time with someone we didn’t like. We do that in church, sometimes, don’t we? But then, he put them in a tough spot with the influencers. That is, Jesus wasn’t just bringing shame upon himself; He was bringing shame upon his disciples. The Pharisees asked THEM, not Jesus why they were hanging out there.

The Sadducees had the political power, but the Pharisees had the populace. They were the ones everyone respected and admired. To have them against you was social suicide. This was a tight spot for the disciples.

This morning, I don’t just want to remind you of the Good News that Jesus is willing to be seen with you. I want to ask you if you’re willing to be seen with him. Are you willing to unashamedly and publicly follow Jesus at school, even if it causes people to put you on the spot with hard questions? Are you willing to stand out at work and cost yourself promotions so that Jesus is glorified through you at work? Are you willing to have society tell you that you’ve made the wrong alliance and that you’ll end up on the wrong side of history? Are you willing to have others believe that you’re too old fashioned or too narrow-minded or too radical in your beliefs? Jesus is willing to be seen with you, but are you willing to be seen with him? That’s probably an unexpected tension that you didn’t see coming.

You see, all of this is to show that...

Jesus “came” with an unexpected “mission.”

You know, I’ve always wanted to be one of those men of few words that only speaks when he has something profound to say. But, I’m just not. I like to talk and think out loud. But, many of the men I most admire are that way. I think of Dale Turner. He is, without a doubt, our quietest elder. He doesn’t say a lot, and when he does speak, he says it quietly. But, I’ll tell you this: I lean it to hear it. Well, I lean in SO I can hear it, but I also lean in because I want to hear it, knowing it’ll be insightful and thoughtful.

Jesus’ voice in the Gospel of Mark functions in a similar way. Each author has a particular style meant to showcase Jesus in a particular light. In Mark, we don’t have many words from Jesus. Mark primarily uses Jesus’ actions to show us who He is. But then, Mark will quote Jesus in order to clarify what we’ve just witnessed. That’s what’s happening here. Jesus is clarifying that the Pharisees misunderstand his actions because they misunderstand his mission, and Mark is inviting us to lean in and hear it.

They misunderstood “what” they “needed.”

Mark 2:16–17 “And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””

That is, they misunderstood what type of Savior they thought they needed. The Pharisees believed that what was needed was a mighty King who would triumph over Rome, drive out Caesar, and reestablish the Jewish theocracy. In fact, they believed that their own righteousness would usher in this Messianic age. That because of their commitment to the Law God would see it and send King David to rescue them as a result.

But, their main problem wasn’t Rome. Their main problem was their own hearts. Their righteousness wasn’t a hope for them, but a condemnation. They still thought the measured well in the sight of God.

They thought they needed a Savior that would reward their goodness, not deliver them from their sinfulness. They were too strong for Jesus. They weren’t too strong for him to overcome. They were too strong to think they needed him. I hope you’re not too strong for Jesus. I hope you’re not too strong and too prideful to humble yourself before such a kind and glorious king. Jesus’ clarification of his mission to the Pharisees is a word of warning for all of us tempted to be like them.

They misunderstood what kind of Savior they needed, and as a result, they...

The misunderstood “who” He “saved.”

You see, they believed that the Messiah was coming to rescue those who proved themselves worthy of rescue. They believed that Jesus was coming for the strong. They believed that the Messiah would reward them for all of their law-keeping and use them as the pillars of his new kingdom. But, Jesus isn’t building a kingdom out of the well, but the sick. Jesus isn’t building a kingdom out of the strong but the weak.

Jesse Ventura once said: “Organized religion is a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers.” I quite agree with that assessment. Christianity is the only faith system for which weakness is a prerequisite. And, that’s the glory of Christmas. Jesus is building his kingdom out of weak, cracked stones. But, He’ll hold us all together.

Iron City, Let’s normalize weakness in the church. After all, that’s why Jesus came. You’ll never be enough. You’re not strong enough. You’re not good enough. You’re not together enough. But, that’s the glory of Jesus. He’s enough. He’ll hold you together. He’ll save you.

Revelation 19:9 “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.””

You see, there’s subtle picture here that’s easy to miss. Most scholars believe that inside the house you have Jesus reclined at a table with “tax collectors and sinners.” And, they say that the Pharisees must’ve been gathered in the outer court yard looking in the windows. And, it’s a foreshadowing a feast that is to come. In Revelation 19, we learn of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb when Jesus’ church will recline with him in friendship and celebration at the dawn of a new age. But, it’s invite only. And, those who were too strong to humble themselves before Jesus will be on the outside looking in as his church enjoys his grace forever.

You see, the question Jesus asks this morning is not: Are you strong enough? But, are you weak enough?