
As Jesus walked along, he saw Matthew sitting at the tax booth.
Encountering Jesus follows people whose ordinary days changed when Jesus came near: fishermen, outsiders, mourners, friends, and seekers learning what welcome, healing, and discipleship look like.
Tap or swipe the Story Block. Begin each gathering with Retell, then choose an Encountering Jesus activity together.
Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13
Download the parent companion for the full background, activity ideas, discussion prompts, prayers, and Scripture references.
Each section is paired with the matching face from the story sheet. Read the six sections as one short story.

As Jesus walked along, he saw Matthew sitting at the tax booth.

He said to him, "Follow me."

Matthew got up and followed him.

In a house, Jesus and his disciples sat down to eat with many tax collectors and sinners.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus heard them and said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor; sick people do. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I haven't come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Scripture anchor: Matthew 9:9-13
But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.