The answer is: Levi

Mark 2:14-15

In the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus decided to eat with publicans and sinners in Levi's house, it wasn’t just a casual meal. This act created quite a stir among the religious elite of His day! Levi, also known as Matthew, was a tax collector—people often viewed him as a traitor for collecting taxes on behalf of the oppressive Roman regime. By dining with him, Jesus sent a powerful message that He came for the marginalized and those deemed unworthy by society.

Dining in ancient culture was a profound social act; who you ate with said a lot about your values. For Jesus, sharing a meal represented acceptance and the breaking down of social barriers. But interestingly, many religious scholars note this wasn’t an isolated incident. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus regularly engages with outcasts, showing compassion to the "least of these", highlighting His ministry's heart.

Trivia time! Did you know that in Hebrew tradition, eating together fosters a kind of deep spiritual bond? Thus, when Jesus chose to dine with tax collectors and sinners, He wasn’t just sharing food; He was building relationships and offering hope.

This story echoes themes found in other parts of Scripture, like the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son, reinforcing that everyone is worthy of love, regardless of their past. Every meal becomes an opportunity for connection, healing, and redemption.