When a person feels well it is unlikely he or she will want the doctor! The doctor is there to help those who want help. It is very sad when people suffer and die because they ignore or reject the doctor's help. I hope you will not be guilty of doing something like that - destroying yourself by rejecting the help the great Doctor in this story offers.
Religious people referred to Levi as a "sinner'. He knew this was more than just a nickname given to him because he was a tax collector. He knew he really was a sinner!
Some religious leaders are quick to call certain people "sinners", but in God's sight ALL are "sinners". "There is NONE righteous, not even one"!
1*.
However many people refuse to believe they are offensive to God.
Levi seemed ready and willing to have something done about his sinfulness; but who could help him? He was like a sick man hoping to find a doctor to cure him.
No doubt he had heard about some of the wonderful things Jesus was doing and saying. Jesus had been healing all kinds of sicknesses, and had even shown His authority to forgive sins!
2*.
When "Jesus..saw Levi..sitting at his tax booth" He said to him, "`Follow Me,' and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him."
3*.
Levi, better known as Matthew, believed that this was the Person whom he needed; the One he would trust to make him right with God.
4*.
Levi was ready and willing to have his life changed by Jesus.
Levi's life was changed that day.
I wonder are you willing for that kind of change in your life? We live in a world where all kinds of voices scream at us in an effort to convince us of what is "normal" for living today. Think of many of the things that modern music, T.V., videos, radio, magazines, and the internet often suggest to be "normal" for today. Things like rebellion, "freedom" from authority, disobedience to parents, hate, greed, lust, adultery, unfaithfulness, deceit, slander, violence, wickedness, vulgarity, perversion, godlessness, idolatry, and murder.
5*.
Are you ready to admit you are a sinner needing a "Doctor" and wanting to be changed by Jesus? No one else can forgive your sins and change your life!
6*.
Anyone who trusts in Jesus for His salvation does so not only for forgiveness but also for a life changed for the glory of God.
7*.
"Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them."
8*.
Levi wanted those who had been his friends to meet Jesus, and no doubt he was hoping they too would want Jesus to change their lives for the glory of God.
However the religious leaders who "thought" they were all right mocked what was happening, but Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
9*.
Do YOU realise your need of Jesus? Don't be like these self-righteous leaders in this story from Luke chapter 5, verses 27-32.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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