Afterward, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Then Levi threw a great banquet for Jesus in his home. A large number of tax collectors and others sat down to eat with them. The Pharisees and their legal experts grumbled against his disciples. They said, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to call righteous people but sinners to change their hearts and lives.” (Luke 5:27-32, CEB)
What would you do if an itinerant teacher came to you and said follow me?
Jesus sought students from unlikely places. And here we hear the story of Levi/Matthew, the tax collector.
Jesus saw him and knew he needed to come along, so he invited him. And Levi got up and followed Jesus, leaving everything behind. Then Levi used the money he had made to throw a great banquet for Jesus. Jesus ate with other tax collectors and probably other prominent people in the community.
So then the religious leaders asked why Jesus would go to these places and be with these people.
When we have the air of superiority, we can not do God’s will. We will think we are too good to go places and that people are beneath us. But Jesus came to show that no one is beneath anyone else, and we are all the same to God.
Go to all and tell them they are loved as they are.
All need to hear that God loves them.
What do you need to leave behind so you can follow Jesus?
aSacredRebel 