There are so many things that make every person made in the image [likeness] of God special. Within each individual, God has placed gifts and abilities to be used to further his Kingdom of righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ro 14:17). The saddest part for us—when we come to this saving revelation—is that others we know and love may still be lost in their own understanding of God’s sacrificial love for them. To know Christ, is to passionately want others to know the Lord. Interestingly, when we connect to Christ, he causes us to see how the gifts we have been given can help others know their Maker and experience his acceptance and love for them.
To help us gain some very practical understanding, we need to follow the Lord to Capernaum where—according to our passage today from Luke chapter 5—Jesus deliberately approaches a tax collector named, Levi. During this time in history, the most hated people by the Jews were the tax collectors who sold their fellow Jews out for the gain of money and possessions by working for the Romans—the ones oppressing the Jews. Jesus knows when a heart is ready to hear the Truth, so as he is walking through town, he speaks to Levi to come follow him. Levi leaves everything he has gained in this natural life—except his pen—takes his skills and abilities and walks away knowing he can never return. He must move forward with the One who delivers his children from sin.
Levi quickly becomes convinced Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. In moments, this Jewish man goes from being hated as a betrayer to experiencing the pure love and acceptance of Jesus. He cannot wait to introduce others to the Christ who gave him new life and a new purpose.
What does Levi do? He gives a Messiah “reveal party.” Levi wants to be of service to the One who has saved him. He has the money to throw a grand banquet and the connection with others who need the One he has discovered. He is filled with joy at being able to help others see the Truth.
What is the response of the Pharisees and religious leaders to this party? They condemn Levi, Jesus, and the party attendees, of course. They have completely missed the joy, the message, and the Messiah that filled Levi’s party.
Every day, we are invited to reap the benefits of the joy of our salvation, share the Truth, and help others see the Messiah in us. May today be a great day for God’s Kingdom.
Luke 5:27-32 NLT Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew)
27 Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson from Levi. He left money and possessions behind, but gained so much more in relationship to you. Help us to come to that understanding, as well, when you call us to leave sin behind. Holy Spirit, give us opportunities to share salvation with other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.