Corrupt Tax Collectors!

For Saturday, February 28, 2026:

Luke 3:12-13 NLT: “Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ John the Baptist replied, ‘Collect no more taxes than the government requires.’”

A lone Roman didn’t feel safe amongst the Jewish population. The Jews were angry, having been mistreated, persecuted and over-taxed. So Rome lined up others to do their dirty work. They arranged for Jews to do the tax collecting from other Jews. This meant that the tax collector would have to have abandon his fellows, his family and probably his religion. Consequently, he had no friends and was known as a scoundrel, a traitor. But he got paid well for his misery.

Our scripture today calls them “corrupt tax collectors.” That’s almost a redundancy! Tax collectors were known for assessing a little extra to put in their own pockets, so most tax collectors were wealthy. Now, they may have put religion on the back burner, but it never entirely left them. So here we find them listening intently to John the Baptist. He stops their sinful, corrupt nature in its tracks. “Collect no more taxes than the government requires!”

A few listened to John, many vowed to change their life and stop the skimming. This is an example of the radical transformation we talk about as people come to know the Messiah. Each of us has habits in our lives that we’ve put off changing. It’s never too soon to change direction, to leave the sin behind and follow the right path. Don’t put it off! Cause God to smile down on you! Do the right thing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Zacchaeus - Repent and Return!

For Tuesday, September 9, 2025:

Luke 19:6 NLT: “Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.”

Zacchaeus had become chief tax collector for the region, and because tax collectors were notorious for collecting a little “extra” for themselves, he had become very rich. But no amount of money could increase his stature. Zacchaeus was a short little man, forced to climb a sycamore fig tree if he was to get a glimpse of Jesus. And up in the tree, Jesus could easily spot him! “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

The crowd watched Jesus accompany Zacchaeus to his home, but did not approve. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

What they didn’t realize is that Zacchaeus was about to repent and return to the Lord. “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Jesus summed up what just happened. “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Friends, when those around you think you’re a lost cause, don’t believe them! Jesus is in the forgiveness business. He will bring salvation into your home just as he did for Zacchaeus. By following Jesus, you can become one of the redeemed. He’ll prepare a place for you in his Father’s Kingdom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Humble!

For Sunday, August 17, 2025:

Luke 18:9 NLT: “Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else.”

Two men entered the Temple to pray. They could not have been more different, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee thought highly of himself, saying, “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”

Tax collectors are thought to be the worst of all sinners. This traitor had switched sides and was working for the Roman oppressors. This man clearly knew he was in the wrong. “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.”

The repentant sinner was justified that day, not the Pharisee.

Jesus concludes his lesson: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The Bible says, “Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought!”

Oftentimes, taking a step down results in being lifted up!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Follow Jesus!

 May 22, 2023 Monday Message:

Mark 2:14 NLT: “As Jesus walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.”

Tax collectors were the most despised people in Israel. They were considered a step worse than other sinners. Tax collectors were traitors, having taken jobs with the Roman bad guys occupying the land God had given the Israelites. Tax collectors were thieves, taxing more than was required and skimming the excess for themselves. No tax collector lived in poverty, and they had the power of the Roman army to enforce their edicts. Jesus choosing Levi, known to us as Matthew, is a huge statement about redemption and God’s love for ALL his created people.

Listen to this: No matter who you are, no matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, you are still loved by God. If you confess your sin, stand up and follow Jesus, you can and will be forgiven. In fact Jesus has already paid the price to redeem your soul. He will prepare a place for you in the hereafter, and your life-after-this-life will be in the presence of the Lord! Eternity is a very long time, and we would all do well to prepare for it!

Following Jesus is a decision with eternal ramifications, good ones!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

The Sick Need Healing!

For Wednesday, March 1, 2023:

Matthew 9:12 NLT: Jesus speaking: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

Matthew, now having joined up with the apostles, invited Jesus and his disciples to dinner at his home. Since tax collectors were known for skimming tax dollars, Matthew must have been able to afford a lavish home and a bountiful dinner. They were joined by many other sinners and tax collectors for the feast.

The Pharisees, observing this, asked, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum, the sinners and tax collectors?”

Jesus explained, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

In a few short words, Jesus summed up his earthly mission. Those who think they have it all together are on their own. But repentant sinners have been sent a Savior, a Redeemer. Jesus freely offers forgiveness and eternal life to those who call him Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Tax Collector!

For Tuesday, February 28, 2023:

Matthew 9:9 NLT: “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.”

Matthew, also known as Levi son of Alphaeus, was working an evil job. He had forsaken his own people to work as a tax collector for the other side, the bad guys, the Roman government. Tax collectors charged what Rome required, and then over-charged for themselves. Greed was rampant and corruption was expected. Roman soldiers were their enforcers, so no one got away with not paying!

To the Jews, a tax collector was considered an outcast from society. He was disqualified as a judge or a witness in a court session, was thrown out of the synagogue, and his disgrace extended to his family. The Bible often refers to ‘sinners and tax collectors.’ Sinners were bad, but tax collectors were even worse!

And yet Jesus called Matthew, proving that no matter who you are, no matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, Jesus has a place for those who repent and return!

Obviously Matthew had been searching for the truth. In Jesus, he found what he had been seeking!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship