“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.” – Luke 5:27
Imagine sitting at your desk at work and having someone fairly well-known walk up to you and tell you to leave everything behind and come with him to be part of his team. No two-week notice, no thinking it over, no asking the family their thoughts about quitting your job. Just get up, follow that person, and join his chosen team.
That was what happened to Levi, or Matthew as he is more commonly known. I have never really thought about Matthew, the tax collector, who became a disciple of Jesus and the author of the Biblical book that bears his name. In the days of 1st century Israel, tax collectors, or publicans, were not highly esteemed for various reasons. Often they employed unsavory tactics to collect more revenue than was due, which did not endear them to the people. Additionally, they were Jews working for the Roman government, and as such they were considered “unclean” and “unredeemable.” No one liked the local publican.
Anyone that associated with the publicans were also looked down upon by the Jews. For Jesus to allow Matthew into his inner circle was to invite harsh criticism from the Jewish religious leaders of the time as well as the common people because publicans were in the same grouping as “sinners.” Thus, by association, Jesus’ reputation suffered, and the Pharisees held Him in great disdain. “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?” (Mark 2:16) That didn’t stop Jesus from loving Matthew and inviting him to be part of His fellowship.
Maybe Matthew was weary of the scorn of the people. Maybe he was longing for someone to show compassion to him. Maybe the ill-gotten gains no longer satisfied the longing in his soul. Perhaps it was the first time in a long time that anyone had genuinely shown an interest in him. Whatever the reason, when Jesus offered His hand to Matthew, the publican immediately left his post and followed the Master. The Bible records “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.” (Mark 2:14).
Matthew chose to follow Jesus without hesitation. Can we say the same of ourselves?
Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
Come, follow Me!
And we see where Thy footprints falling
Lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus,
That make the pathway
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where’er they go.
(from “Footprints of Jesus” by Mary Slade)
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” – Mark 10:21
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If Jesus walked by and asked you to give up everything and follow Him, would you?