outcasts

Matthew 9:10

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples."

Matthew’s peers would have thought he was a wicked SINNER. They probably hated him. Tax collectors, like Matthew, would use the muscle of the Roman army to collect from the Jewish people. Brutality would not be out of the question in tax collection. The money Matthew was collecting went to support the occupation and subjugation of Israel. No doubt Matthew had to deal with this animosity and he would need wrestle with his own conscience. 

There was a lot going on in Matthew’s heart and mind. So, when Jesus comes to him and says "Follow Me." It was probably an answer to his prayers. It reads as a simple action for Matthew to rise and follow Jesus. 

This event is also mentioned in Luke's gospel, which states that Matthew, hosted a celebratory feast in his own house. As today's verse points out Jesus attended. Along with the people that would be friends with a tax collector, the outcasts and sinners. Jesus was willing to associate with those who were marginalized. He is on a mission to bring salvation to all people, regardless of their social status, past, ethnicity or anything else. You just need to follow Jesus.