The Calling of Levi

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Calling of Levi

Date: Dec. 19, 2019

Passage

Luke 5:27-32 (ESV)

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

1. Follow me (27-28)

Jesus next saw a tax collector named Levi. Perhaps his parents hoped he would grow up as a servant of God and a holy priest. Levi abandoned his people, his culture and his religion in order to benefit from being a tax collector. To others he looked like a hopeless betrayer of God. But Jesus saw differently. He said, "Follow me." When Levi heard these words, he left everything and began a new life following Jesus.

2. To call sinners (29-32)

Levi celebrated his new life by holding a great banquet, where he invited many other tax collectors, along with Jesus. The Jewish leaders complained that Jesus was associating with sinners. They felt righteous, but they could not be righteous by disassociating themselves from "sinners." Jesus alone makes us righteous. He takes away our sins. He calls us to follow him. This is repentance.

Prayer: Lord, I am in desperate need of healing. Thank you for calling me to follow you daily.

One Word: Follow Jesus

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references