29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.
30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
Jesus cared more about calling sinners to repentance than He cared about His reputation with the religious leaders of that day, the Pharisees and their scribes.
Do we care more about appearing pious to our church leaders, whether they be leaders in the denomination, clergy, or even lay leaders, than we care about ministering to others?
I suppose some can misuse this Scripture to satisfy their own lusts to eat and drink, but we can see that this Scripture leads with Jesus calling to Levi to follow Him. “And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.” It is only afterwards, and at the invitation of Levi, that Jesus reclined at the table to eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners.
It is also interesting to contrast Jesus’ actions with many evangelists today. Many evangelists today think their job is done when someone walks up to the altar “to accept Jesus” in response to their “altar call”. Here, we see that Levi had already begun to follow Jesus, but Jesus was still interested in ministering to Levi and the other sinners who were with Levi.
In regards to Jesus eating and drinking with Levi and other sinners, this action of Jesus reminds me of 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 which is a very fitting summary and conclusion.
“23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.
25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake;
26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.
27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.
28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake;
29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?
30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 