The Call of Levi

Luke 5:27-32

The call of Levi, better known as Matthew, brings out some very important points. It also reveals a very sinful human attitude that is still prevalent in the church of today. Matthew himself recorded the story in Matthew 9:9-13.

Levi was a publican, or public employee. Worse, he worked for the Roman government as a tax collector or customs agent. Throughout history, governments have fostered corruption and inefficiency, because their size and power makes prosecution difficult. The Roman empire was pretty typical in this area, with tax collectors being able to charge more than they were authorized and pocket the change if they didn’t get caught.

In addition, the Jews were still rebelling against Roman rule, and working for them was seem as treasonable. The Old Testament forbid treaties with foreign countries, because they would bind the Jews to put up with false worship. Nehemiah’s prohibition of interracial marriage later developed into a total isolationist attitude that there should be no contact, as Peter pointed out in Acts 10:28, Going far beyond God‘s command. Because Levi worked for the Roman empire, he was viewed as both a traitor, and as having rejected being Jewish, and was hated.

“And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.” (Luke 5:27-28)

Though he was considered beyond redemption by the “better class”, Levi was definitely interested in the things of God. We don’t know what all he’d heard or seen but he knew some, and when Jesus called, he didn’t hesitate, giving up his job and career, just as Peter, Andrew, James and John had done. It is what is required for everyone who follows Christ.

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:29-30)

Excited about serving the Lord, Levi wanted all his friends to have the same experience. I know how he felt. The morning after I got saved, I went to school eager to tell everyone there about what had happened. Levi set up a feast for his friends to meet Jesus. Because of the Jews rejection, his friends were other public employees and people the majority avoided. The civic leaders were offended that Jesus associated with such people. The same attitude prevails in much of society today. Some churches which only reach out to a specific ethnic or social group, and make others feel unwelcome. It is easy to forget who Jesus came for.

“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

My dad once made the statement that “All the good people are going to Hell.” I don’t know if he originated it or not, but it is true. Jesus came to save sinners. People who think they are better will never acknowledge their sin and as I John 1:8-9 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Through the years, I have seen churches who didn’t want other races to take part, people made unwelcome because they didn’t dress to a certain standard or because they associated with a group that others didn’t approve of. God is no respecter of persons, and II Peter 3:9 tells us that he has not shut out anyone. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” When we exclude others for any reason other than deliberate overt sin, we are become judges of unrighteous thoughts according to James. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just our preferred group.

The great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,” not just the ones we like. Mark 16:15 directs, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”