JESUS CAME TO CALL SINNERS

Luke 5:27-39

Key Verse: 5:32

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

1. Read verse 27. To what does “After this” refer? Who was Levi and what was he doing? How were tax collectors regarded? (30) What might motivate a man to become a tax collector? What might his life as a tax collector be like? How could Jesus have hope for such a selfish man?

2. What was Jesus’ invitation? Read verses 28-29. How did Levi respond? What did this decision to follow Jesus mean to Levi? What did he lose? What did he gain? (Rev 3:20) How did he celebrate his changed life? (29)

3. Read verses 30-32. Why did the Pharisees complain to Jesus’ disciples? What does this reveal about them? How did Jesus answer? What does this reveal about Jesus? What does it mean for sinners to repent?

4. Read verse 33. How did “they” compare Jesus’ disciples with the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees? What do you know about the religious activities of John’s disciples? (Mt 11:18) The disciples of the Pharisees? (Mt 23:3-5) How might this criticism have affected Jesus’ disciples?

5. Read verse 34. How did Jesus defend his disciples? What did Jesus teach about himself and his relationship with his people? (John 3:27-30; Rev 19:6-7) What can we learn about the characteristics of life in Jesus? Why might the feast at Levi’s house be like a heavenly celebration? (Lk 15:7)

6. Read verse 36. Why can’t a new patch be put on an old garment? Read verse 37-39. Why can’t new wine be put into old wineskins? In the context of this passage, what is the new wine? (2Cor 5:17) The old wine? What does this mean to the disciples? (5:5,28) To the Pharisees? To us?