Compassion called followers and answered criticism Matthew 9:9-17: The compassion of Jesus called a hated man to follow Him. Matthew was a tax collector, a publican. Jesus called him to be His disciple. The call of compassion was simple --"follow me" Immediately after the call of Matthew Satan tried to discourage Jesus, Matthew and other disciples. "When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" (Matthew 9:11) Jesus answered Satan's criticism by saying, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Jesus truly came to call sinners to repentance.

Some of Jesus' greatest teaching arose out of criticism. Jesus was criticized because His disciples were not fasting. His answer was there was no need for fasting and sorrowing while He (the bridegroom) was still with them. In this section the Lord used the cloth and the wineskins to teach that what is done must be done correctly or a waste was made. Out of compassion Jesus answers their criticism.

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