Jesus never refused an invitation to such a feast. The object ever before Him was to sow in the hearts of His hearers the seeds of truth, through His winning conversation to draw hearts to Himself. In His every act Christ had a purpose, and the lesson which He gave on this occasion was timely and appropriate. By this act He declared that even publicans and sinners were not excluded from His presence. Publicans and sinners could now bear the testimony that Christ honored them with His presence and conversed with them (Manuscript 3, 1898).{5BC 1120.3}30. See EGW comment on Matthew 9:11.{5BC 1120.4}31, 32. See EGW comment on Matthew 9:12, 13.{5BC 1120.5}32. See EGW comment on Matthew 9:13.{5BC 1120.6}37, 38. See EGW comment on Matthew 9:17.{5BC 1120.7}

Jesus afviste aldrig en invitation til en sådan fest. Det mål Han altid havde foran sig var at så sandhedens frø i sine tilhørers hjerter, ved Sin vindende samtale at drage hjerterne til Sig. I enhver handling havde Kristus et fortsæt, og den lektie som Han gav ved den anledning var betimelig og passende. Ved denne handling erklærede Han at endog tolderne og synderne ikke var udelukket fra hans nærhed. Tolderne og synderne kunne nu frembære vidnesbyrdet at Kristus ærede dem med Sin tilstedeværelse og talte med dem. (MS 3, 1898).

30. Se EGW til Matt. 9,11.

31, 32. Se EGW til Matt. 9,12. 13.

32. Se EGW til Matt. 9,13.

37, 38. Se EGW til Matt. 9,17.