This study will focus on a story about a despised tax collector named Levi (also known as Matthew) found in Mark 2:13-17. Surprisingly, Jesus calls Levi to be one of His disciples, and, even more surprisingly, He goes to Levi’s house and shares an evening with other tax collectors and “sinners.” This really upsets some of the religious teachers. But, whether they liked it or not, Jesus was and is a friend of sinners, and He desires His disciples to be friends of sinners also.
