After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” Luke 5:27 NABRE
We read Jesus calling Levi to be a disciple. We know him better as Matthew. We are to understand there is something special in the call of Jesus. Levi as a tax collector would have been wealthy. He would receive payment from the Romans for collecting taxes and many tax collectors demanded extra in taxes so they could be able to put money away for a time when their fortune turned. Levi May be in a good financial position but certainly alone as he is hated by the Jews. How could he a Jew consort with the Romans and take money from his fellow Jews. But as Jesus passes, seeing Levi He simply says, “Follow me” and Levi turns from his wealth and property, and follows Jesus. It is not clear what encounters Levi might have had with Jesus beforehand, or if Jesus knew Levi. We must look at the call itself, Jesus does not ask Levi to do anything or even to leave everything behind. Levi follows and trusts in Jesus.
If you have felt called by Jesus you understand this scenario. Following Jesus is knowing Jesus, knowing His message and trying to live as Jesus lived, within the confines of today’s culture. We often hear people say Jesus said follow me, not worship me. But somehow we have made worshiping Jesus the common practice of Christians. It is not bad to worship unless it replaces following, if it does we might be on the wrong path to the kingdom of God. Following Jesus we are to be like Levi, turn away from our wealth and riches and live simply for others. Levi, did all Jesus needed him to do, we must be ready to be like Levi doing all Jesus needs us to do.
How do you follow Jesus? What are you gifts to be shared for the kingdom of God?
Following Jesus we are to be like Levi, turn away from our wealth and riches and live simply for others. Levi, did all Jesus needed him to do, we must be ready to be like Levi doing all Jesus needs us to do. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #Levi #follow #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways