Luke 5:27-39

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Call of Matthew; Contrasts Between Judaism and Christianity

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Accepting the gospel frees believers for celebration.

  2. Understanding the gospel frees believers from legalism.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s leave everything as Levi did.

  2. Let’s be careful about our use of Old Testament terminology.

QUESTIONS

  1. Why were tax collectors so hated by the Jews?

  2. How did Matthew respond to the Lord’s invitation to follow Him?

  3. What is the next thing we see Matthew doing in this passage?

  4. How did the Lord respond to the Pharisees’ question about fasting?

  5. What does it mean that Matthew “left everything”?

ANSWERS

  1. The tolls collected on the international highway (the Via Maris from Egypt to Damascus) were collected under Herod Antipas of Galilee for the Roman government. Most Jews considered tax collectors unpatriotic, or even as traitors for collecting taxes for the hated Roman oppressors.

  2. Matthew resigned from his position on the spot and followed Jesus.

  3. He celebrated by throwing a reception dinner for Jesus in His home. Matthew did not hide the fact that he had become a follower of Jesus. He held a feast to introduce his friends, neighbors, and colleagues to Jesus.

  4. He did not condemn fasting, but put it in its proper place. There was no need for the disciples to fast when the Lord was with them, but when the Lord would be taken from them, fasting would be appropriate.

  5. It means his priorities were completely changed. His home and money were now used to serve the Lord and not himself. He was no longer entangled in the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the method of “Relationship Evangelism.” Why can this be such an effective technique?

  2. Review the three parables in Luke 5:36-39. Each illustrates and emphasizes that with the coming of the gospel, the time of the Law and Judaism are past. A new order under grace has come.

CHALLENGE

  1. Have you left everything as Matthew did?

KEY VERSES

  • “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32

  • “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear.” Luke 5:36



Luke, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 5:27-39