The answer is: Levi

Mark 2:14-15

In the Gospel of Mark, the account of Jesus dining with Levi, a tax collector, offers a fascinating glimpse into the radical inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. Those labeled as "publicans and sinners" were often outcasts in Jewish society, viewed as corrupt or impure. Tax collectors, especially, were despised for collaborating with Roman occupiers and defrauding their fellow Jews.

Levi’s house becomes the site of this divine gathering, symbolizing that spirituality transcends the boundaries set by societal norms. Imagine the scene: Jesus, known for his boundary-breaking love, surrounded by those on the margins – a mix of the rejected yet eager souls yearning for acceptance and hope.

It's interesting to note that tax collectors don’t just play a minor role in the gospels; they pop up throughout, emphasizing the consistent theme of radical acceptance. Think of Matthew, also a tax collector, later called by Jesus—showcasing a continuity in Jesus' interactions, challenging us to reflect on who we often exclude in our own communities.

Jesus’ meal with these individuals could be seen as a tangy echo of the sharing of bread throughout the Jewish tradition. Meals held significant value, often symbolizing unity and community, even declaring an invitation to dive into deeper relationships with God and one another. Levi’s choice to host Jesus also reminds us of John's call to repentance just a chapter later—an anticipatory pulse for everyone's transformation. Celebrate the reminder that divine grace can take Toastmasters over ambience; it flips tables in our expectations!