In Luke chapter 5 of the Bible, we read about Levi who was also known as Matthew. Levi was a tax collector, often the professional that people tried to avoid. No one wanted to seek out a tax collector! But Jesus did not avoid him. In fact, He saw Levi sitting at the tax office and went up to him and said, “Follow me.” Levi got up and left everything and followed Jesus. Follow along with me in this story.
Luke 5:27-32 says, “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to His disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 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” (NIV).
Mark 2:13-17 recounts the same story, “He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to Him, and He was teaching them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (ESV).
Jesus knew the state of the hearts in the room. He knew heart surgery (spiritually speaking) was required for many. He was clear why He was there. He was there for the sick. He was there for sinners. And He had the answers they needed. He was the answer!
There was a time, before I gave my life to Christ, that I was spiritually dying, and I was oblivious to my condition. I underestimated my spiritual depravity. Though I didn’t know it, I needed a Savior to wash away my sins that were making me eternally, gravely ill. I needed Jesus desperately. I needed the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, who had been pursuing me because He knew I was a sinner in need of a Savior. God knew I was sick, and He pursued me. When I recognized my condition, I surrendered my life to Him and chose to follow Him with all my heart.
We need more than a spiritual physical or appointment annually. We need Jesus moment by moment. Jesus saw our great need for reconciliation with God because of our sin, and He came and died for it! Only Jesus can heal our sinful wounds, scars, and conditions. If you have never done so, will you schedule an appointment with Jesus today? Tell Him what is on your heart and mind. He has an opening waiting for you! Don’t wait for a “convenient time.” Move your schedule and make time for Him. He is waiting for you. Allow the Great Physician the opportunity to have His perfect work! If it’s been a while since you have checked in with Jesus, will you make a commitment to have appointments with Him every day this week? Start right now! Your appointment is overdue!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
