Mark 2:13

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.

We know from one of the other gospel-writers that Yeshu had previously taught while sitting in Simon’s boat.

The crowd had been pressing close about him, but from a boat he could speak across the still water, and be clearly heard by everyone.

Today too any who believe and listen can hear his voice, not across water, but in their hearts.

Mark 2:14

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Men who made themselves rich by collecting tax for the ruling powers were considered by the Jews to be bad men.

Had Levi heard Yeshu speaking words of hope by the lakeside on a previous occasion? Now Yeshu calls him to be a disciple.

Mark 2:15-17

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Unlike the Pharisees who avoided men with much bad karma, Yeshu went to those who needed his help, like a doctor. He talked with them and made them happy.

No man who wants his sins to be cleared is too bad for Yeshu; he is their friend. He has compassion for all men, and gives them hope of obtaining boundless life.