The Call of Levi Matthew

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:27-32


Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12

After healing the physical diseases of man Jesus turned now to the spiritual issues of life. He saw a man who was a publican – one who made his living by agreeing with Rome to be a collector of taxes for Rome. This opened the door to take unfair advantage of your neighbor with Rome being the enforcer if the people protested. This made the publicans a group of despised people and enemies of the Jewish people. So when Jesus met with Levi Matthew and asked him to follow Him the Pharisees and Sadducees thought that they could take advantage of this issue and try to turn the disciples against Jesus over the issue of association with perceived sinners/addicts. Jesus responded by telling them that He did not come to take care of people who did not need to be taken care of, but He came to call those who needed Him the most – the sick, the weak, the addicted. Their very need drew His attention for they needed Him.


Prayer for Today: God, we thank You that You are aware of our great need. We are embarrassed by our need, but You seem to be attracted to us because of our needs. Help us to respond positively to Your overtures to us and help us to accept Your gifts to us. Thank You that You would come to find us and to help us. We truly appreciate it.