Jesus at a Party.

Matthew gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Jesus went and when the church leaders saw it, they criticized him.

"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" they asked Jesus.

Jesus said, "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Matthew and his guests wanted to hear what Jesus said about salvation. They knew they needed help in their lives. They felt comfortable with Jesus.

The Pharisees didn't feel a need for Jesus. They believed they were already righteous. They also thought it was a sin to hang around with people who were obviously sinners. They thought they were better than them.

Next they attacked Jesus' disciples, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."

Jesus told them there was no reason to fast right now. He was with his disciples, but when he was gone, then they would fast.

He then told them a parable of how when people drink aged wine they then do not like newly made wine. They say, "The old is good." He was telling them that they did not want to give up their old beliefs and accept the new things he was trying to teach them. Therefore, Jesus appealed to the young, they were more open to new ideas.

The Pharisees had a critical and judgemental way of looking at people. They actually found fault with God himself when he was here. This is the kind of attitude that keeps people out of churches today. We are not to judge and condemn people. That is God's work alone. We are not wise or good enough to do this. Let us love and accept people instead.