Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Have you ever wondered what the disciples were thinking when Jesus approached them for the first time? What was going through their minds when Jesus said, “Come follow me”?
In Luke 5:27-28, we see Jesus telling Levi to follow Him. Levi was a tax collector, and tax collectors were the lowest of the low. We don’t know why Levi became a tax collector, but it definitely didn’t win him any popularity contests. He would collect the taxes the Roman government asked for but would also collect extra, making themselves wealthy. He could stop you at any time and tax you for anything. If you couldn’t pay, you would face physical harm. Tax collectors weren’t even allowed in the synagogue because they were considered unclean.
Verse 27 tells us Jesus saw Levi and approached him. Levi didn’t approach Jesus; Jesus came to Levi. I wonder what Levi was thinking as Jesus approached him that day: Why is Jesus coming to see me? Is He coming to tell me what a horrible person I am?
Jesus tells Levi, “Come follow me and be my disciple.” Wow! Here is Levi, probably one of the most hated men in the country, and Jesus tells him to follow Him and be one of His disciples. I can’t imagine the questions going through Levi’s mind: Does He know who I am and what I have done? Why is he calling me? Isn’t there someone more qualified than me for this job?
I am sure we have all felt like Levi at some point in our lives. We don’t feel like we measure up. We don’t feel like we can be forgiven for all the wrong things we have done or the people we have hurt. We feel like there is no way Jesus can love us, much less use us and our story to bring others to know, love, and follow Him.
Jesus doesn’t tell Levi to come follow Him when he cleans his life up. Jesus doesn’t tell him He will check back in a few months, and if he has made some changes, then he will be ready to be a disciple. Jesus takes him as he is in that moment. Jesus tells Levi right then and there: Come follow me and be my disciple.
I think sometimes we can feel like we need to have it all together, everything has to be going right in our lives for God to love us or use us. That is not the case! Levi didn’t have his life together when Jesus called Him, but verse 28 says Levi gave up everything and followed Jesus anyway.
I love this definition of a disciple: a follower of Jesus who is dedicated to learning from Him and imitating His life and teachings. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person! The old life is gone and a new life has begun! Levi went from a tax collector who was hated and despised to one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He became a new person; he learned from Jesus and began to imitate His life and teachings. He changed his name to Matthew and even wrote one of the Gospels!
I hope Levi’s story helps you see that God can use you no matter what your past looks like. You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. (Spoiler alert: none of us do!) He sees you, He loves you, and you can become a new person when you follow Him!
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship
As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.
