Knowing The Word in Luke 5:27-32, Jesus Calls Levi

The tax collector named Levi, who works for the Roman authorities, is later know in Luke as Matthew and is always known in Matthew’s Gospel as Matthew. As a tax collector, Levi was most likely the wealthiest of the apostles. There is a degree of heroism involved in his following of Jesus that is easy to overlook. If the future did not work out for the fishermen disciples, they could always return to their jobs. But Levi is losing his job permanently by walking away. This is the level of his commitment to Jesus. Levi does not do this quietly but with great fanfare and a public announcement. He must have found it so exhilarating to forsake wealth for Jesus that he now introduces his fellow tax collectors to Jesus. As J.C. Ryle writes, “A converted man will not go to heaven alone.” With their strict purity rules, the Pharisees would not have eaten with tax collectors, who would be ceremonially unclean, and question why Jesus does. This illustrates their disdain for others because eating with others indicated acceptance. How could Jesus and his followers be religious if they accept sinners like these? Robert Munger writes, “The church is the only fellowship in the world where the one requirement for membership is the unworthiness of the candidate.” When Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician,” his logic in unanswerable.

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Prayer:

O Lord:

In a world where many are lonely;

We thank you for our friendships.

In a world where many are captive;

We thank you for our freedom.

In a world where many are hungry;

We thank you for your provision.

We pray that you will:

Enlarge our sympathy,

Deepen our compassion,

And give us grateful hearts.

In Christ’s name.

Terry Waite