“After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:27 – 32)

“Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world…if you do so, you are insulting yourself.” (Bill Gates)

It was a wonder of Christ’s grace that he would call a tax collector to be his disciple and follower. It was a wonder of his grace that the call was made so effective, that the presence of Jesus so undeniable that “he got up, left everything, and followed him”. It was a wonder of his grace that he came to call sinners to repentance, and to assure them of pardon. 

It was a wonder of his grace that he called whom he chose to call no matter their status, their past or their situation. Jesus withstood the ridicule of the religious leaders for being with sinners when others had given up on them. If Jesus would have allowed the pressures of society or his religious compatriots to affect his decisions, the whole makeup of the disciples would have been dramatically different.

Jesus led the disciples and taught them, and they had trouble understanding and coming to grips with the implications of his teachings. But he also helped them see their own strengths and giftedness. We should copy Jesus’ example in dealing with the stranger, the sinner, the weak in faith, or the tempted believer.

Pastor Dave