One day, our Lord Jesus Christ passed by a man. His name was Matthew. He was at work when Jesus passed him. His work was to get money from people to give to their country. Many people did not like the men who did this work, because sometimes the men took extra money for themselves.

But Jesus liked Matthew! He stopped to talk with him. He said, “Come, follow Me.”

Matthew was surprised and happy that Jesus liked him. He got right up and left his work. He followed Jesus!

Later, when Jesus was eating, many others with the same job as Matthew came to eat with Jesus. Other people who had done bad things came too.

The Pharisees saw this. They thought it was bad for Jesus to be with such sinful people. They asked Jesus’ disciples why He ate with bad people.

When Jesus heard what they had asked, He said, “It is sick people who need a doctor, not well people. God says it is better to show mercy to someone than to pretend to do what is right. I am like a doctor. I came to help people whose souls are sick with sin. I will show them that they can be forgiven by God and their souls can be well again.”

1. Jesus met a man. What was the man’s name? What job did he do?

2. How did Jesus treat the man? Did he follow Jesus?

3. Who came to eat with Jesus?

4. Why didn’t the Pharisees like to see Jesus eating with Matthew and the others like him?

5. Did you ever go to the doctor when you were sick? Did the doctor help you get well again? Our Lord Jesus is like a doctor for your soul. Pray, and ask Him to help you be healed of the sins that make your soul sick.