Read the Word:
Luke 5:27-32
Meditate on the Word:
During the first century, there were few people who were more despised than tax collectors. These Jewish sell-outs worked for the Roman government collecting taxes because the Romans knew that Jews would know where the money was hidden. Tax collecters got rich by extorting their Jewish brothers. Most people would have been happy to see tax collectors quit. But there are some who would criticize Jesus for curing cancer. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were some such people.
Levi had chosen to leave the ill-reputed extortionary field of tax collecting and follow Jesus instead. He also held a nice dinner to introduce his fellow tax collectors and sinners to Jesus. Of course the legalists would say that Jesus was associating with sinners. And He was. His association with them had the purpose of calling them out of their sin, the same as He did with Levi. We do not know for certain if any of these sinners followed Christ that night. But they certainly were introduced to Him. Associating with these sinners did not cause Jesus to change His behavior. We also know that associating with them at this party did not cause Levi to abandon Christ. We know this because of his authorship of the gospel bearing his other name, Matthew.
We must not be afraid to get near enough to people to tell them of their need for Christ. Instead, we must care enough to tell them about Him.
Pray the Word:
Ask our Lord to reveal someone that you need to share the gospel with.
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