Jesus Christ Feels For The Outcasts

At the tax collector's booth, Matthew (also named Levi) the tax collector was so happy when Jesus invited him to be one of his disciples. To show his appreciation and joy, Matthew threw a dinner party for Jesus. On the evening of the party, Jesus and his disciples arrived and sat down to eat. Matthew invited his friends too. They were tax collectors like him and other sinners.

The Pharisees who saw what was going on at the dinner party were scandalized at the sight of Jesus mingling with people whom they consider as sinners. Their disgust was written in Matthew 9: 11. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus on hearing the Pharisees' comment, replied, "It is not the healthy who needs a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what that means: 'I desire mercy not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12)

Jesus was angry at the Pharisees because of their pretentious practice of the Jewish faith. They were more concerned on the washing of hands rather than the washing of hearts to maintain cleanliness of the soul. They have been known for their sticklers for regulations, their outward show of religiosity and their discrimination of religious violators. They forgot that their responsibility was to take care of lost souls and guide them back to God.

Matthew must have heard the verbal exchanges and was probably impressed with Jesus for speaking up to the Pharisees regarding their condescending attitude to sinners. Matthew was convinced that Jesus indeed welcomes people like him. He "walks the talk."

The exchange of words between Jesus and the Pharisees had probably stoked Matthew's joy and self-worth. He probably realized that there's hope for all outcasts. Those who were pushed outside of the fringes of Jewish society by the Pharisees' rigid rule. That scenario probably fortified Matthew's decision to be a full-time follower and leave his sinful life behind. He was convinced that Jesus feels for the outcasts. 

In today's pandemic, those who have contracted Covid-19, unfortunately, are seen and treated as outcasts although it was not their fault. Because of public health risks, governments have marshalled their power and resources to isolate those infected from the general population. In hospitals, Covid-19 patients are placed in isolation wards. 

Health care workers wear personal protective equipment to avoid infection. Infected patients barely see the faces of those taking care of them. They are alone in their beds and not allowed visits from uninfected families. It is a lonely ordeal added by the fear that they might not live to see tomorrow. Unfortunately, a lot of people have already succumbed to the ravages of the virus. 

Those fighting to survive, suffer emotional and psychological hardships added by the isolation. Those with less severe infections are forced to undergo quarantine at their homes for two or three weeks. It is a sad, scary and lonely ordeal as well because of the possibility that things could get worse. They feel trapped and isolated while battling the infection within the four walls of their homes.

For the uninfected, fear and anger infect them. Fear creeps in if a neighbor contracts Covid-19 and healthy neighbors become fearful lest they get infected. Anger is expressed towards the infected in the form of the blame game. Fear and anger from healthy people make infected people feel like outcasts.

In Matthew's story of the dinner party, Jesus shows that he feels for the outcasts. For those in isolation because of Covid-19, Jesus is close by.  He will surely answer their prayer because he genuinely cares for all outcasts. Matthew saw that in Jesus that night at the dinner table when Jesus rebuked the Pharisees.

By his example, Jesus tells us to be more understanding and sympathetic to those who got Covid-19. He wants us to pray for them and help those who seek help so that they won't feel alone in their fight with Covid-19.