MARK 2:15 LIGHT SPACE AND TIME

 LATER LEVI INVITED JESUSAND HIS DISCIPLES TO HIS HOME AS DINNER GUESTS, ALONG WITH MANY TAX COLLECTORS AND OTHER DISREPUTABLE SINNERS (THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE OF THIS KIND AMONG JESUS' FOLLOWERS).

The sequence of events continues in a logical way from the preceding verse when Jesus commanded Levi (Matthew) to follow Him.  However, between this command and the 'later' time, we do not know what happened but we can assume that Matthew went with Jesus as he continued his Ministry along the lakeside.   We can presume that this was an evening meal, that Matthew, because of his job as a Tax Collector was well-off and that his house would have been large considering the number of guests he had that night.   As there were 'many' Tax Collectors we can assume that this was a large gathering.

The invitation itself is interesting.  Although Jesus commanded Matthew to follow Him, Matthew was clearly still his own person, and not intimidated by his new teacher, considering Him, at this stage, as a man and the beginning of a friendship.  In short there is clearly a reciprocal relationship between Matthew and Jesus.  It also highlights the social character of Jesus, that he participated in ordinary human interactions.  Is it that Matthew was unaware of the depth of his sin at this moment, or the bad company he was keeping?  He clearly intuites that Jesus excludes no-one from his company even if Matthew may be beginning to understand the depths he has fallen to.  His immediate following of Jesus at His command has not, however, stopped him from his old associations.  Is this because moving from a sinful life to a life of grace is a gradual development?   That Jesus has not demanded that He leave his old life immediately, because He knows Matthew already has an established social life?  That while Jesus is present amongst this crowd of sinners, Matthew will begin to understand that his new life as a follower of Jesus will be, not so much to separate himself from his sinful friends, but to teach them as he is being taught by his new Master?

This scene is placed therefore in an imaginable space, in a logical sequence of time directly after Matthew's calling, possibly after sunset, possibly lit by candles, or the last light of day by the lakeside coming through the windows.  Would it have been convivial with many voices speaking, or would Jesus have been teaching as he ate?  The meal would have included, of course, fish, olives and Mediterranean food - unleven bread, and wine.