Matthew 9

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples” (10). When the religious leaders objected to Jesus’ eating with sinners (11), Jesus replied that he had “not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (13). Sinners, just like the desperate woman with chronic bleeding and the synagogue leader whose daughter was dying, knew that they needed Jesus. He was the “new wine” who had come to change everything if they would let him (16-17).

“He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (36). When we admit we are “harassed and helpless”, Jesus comes to our rescue.