Jesus went out to the lake and began teaching a crowd gathered there. When he saw Levi sitting at the tax collector's booth, he called out to him: "Follow me." Levi's occupation as a tax collector labeled him as a "public sinner" but provided him a comfortable life. We do not know what led him to choose such a controversial occupation.

It did not matter to Jesus how Levi ended up there. Jesus invited him to leave life as a sinner and become a disciple of Jesus. And Levi decided to follow Jesus right away, leaving everything behind (14).

Levi must have thrown a farewell party as he was leaving his home. When the Pharisees learned about Jesus having dinner at Levi's house with many tax collectors and sinners, they started to question Jesus' disciples about Jesus' integrity. The Pharisees considered themselves righteous for keeping the law and staying away from sinners. However, before the Lord, no one is righteous (Ro 3:10). Only those who confess their sins and ask for forgiveness and salvation will receive Jesus' healing (17).


Application: Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to call a sinner like me. Please help me to be honest before you, recognize the sickness in my heart, and receive healing from you.
One Word: I follow you, Lord