In the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 9, verses 9-14, we are presented with a critical narrative that manifests Jesus’s transformative vision of inclusivity. These verses offer us an interpretive window into the heart of Christ’s ministry, illuminating the radical inclusivity that marked His earthly sojourn.
The text reads: “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'”
The above passage compellingly conveys the ethos of the Christian Gospel’s central principle: radical inclusivity and unconditional love for all, transcending social and religious barriers. This text presents a moment of Jesus’s social outreach that was marked by disregard for established societal norms, choosing instead to construct an inclusive community predicated on empathy, understanding, and acceptance.
Matthew was a tax collector, viewed in that society as a collaborator with the Roman Empire and therefore seen as a ‘sinner’ in Jewish religious terms. His choice as a disciple was scandalous in the eyes of many, notably the Pharisees. Yet, Jesus saw Matthew, the individual behind the societal label, extending to him an invitation to join a transformative journey.
Eating in the Jewish culture was not merely a physical act of sustenance but symbolically represented fellowship and acceptance. By dining with ‘tax collectors and sinners’, Jesus was deliberately breaking with the societal and religious exclusivism of his time, thereby demonstrating the genuine inclusivity of his Kingdom. He consciously chose to fellowship with the marginalized, the stigmatized, the ‘sinners’, thereby giving a voice to the voiceless and affirming their value and worth in the eyes of God.
Jesus’s response to the Pharisees’ question further underscores the theme of inclusivity. His message encapsulates the essence of the Old Testament prophetic tradition, specifically the words of the prophet Hosea (6:6): “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” In this context, ‘mercy’ refers to God’s compassionate love towards humanity, often expressed in inclusive actions and relationships. ‘Sacrifice,’ conversely, symbolizes an external religiosity that often prioritizes ritual over ethical responsibilities such as justice, love, and inclusivity.
For us today, this narrative provides significant insights into the importance of radical inclusivity within faith communities. It challenges us to question and move beyond the boundaries of societal norms, prejudices, and stereotypes. It invites us to actively cultivate spaces where all are welcomed and cherished regardless of their backgrounds, reinforcing the fact that everyone is an equally valued child of God.
In conclusion, Matthew 9:9-14 imparts a vital theological truth: The Kingdom of God, as embodied by Christ, is marked by radical inclusivity. It is a realm where the marginalized are affirmed, the outcasts are embraced, and all are invited to participate fully in the life-giving fellowship of faith. As inheritors of this Gospel, our calling is to ensure that this inclusivity is practiced in our faith communities, thus truly mirroring the inclusive heart of God.
