Word@Work Luke72 - Luke 5:27-28
Published: Thu, 04/01/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
FOLLOWING BY COMMAND
Luke 5:27-28 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. (NIV)
Tax collectors had a bad reputation. They took their pay as a sort of informal 'commission' from the tax payers. Nobody knew quite how much they ought to pay, and everybody suspected that the revenue officers were corrupt. Their social stigma placed them with prostitutes as the most despised people in society. No religious leader would be seen in their company. But Jesus knew that He was their only hope, and so He ate and talked with them.
Levi, his name indicates that his parents were from the priestly tribe, had not lived up to their expectations. But Jesus knew this cheat and He summoned him to join the team of disciples. Instead of counting the money and securing his financial future, Levi left it all behind as he obeyed the command of Jesus. Although many people drifted in and out of the travelling group of supporters, most of them gave up except the twelve appointed disciples (John 6:66-71). Each of them had heard the command to leave their old way of life and join with Jesus; and they obeyed.
Today many are drifting in and out of churches, thinking that it might be a good idea to experience religion; as though God awards points for trying to be good. Discipleship is not about following a crowd of friends into church, but hearing the command of Jesus and obeying. Christian faith is not something which we try to copy from others, but is a positive reaction to knowing that Jesus is calling and commanding obedience. Inevitably that will involve leaving corruption behind, whatever the cost. Christians are disciples by royal command, not personal preference. In John 15:16, Jesus said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." If you have heard His call to repent of sin and submit to His authority, have you obeyed? It is the only way to peace and purpose.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for deliberately calling people to obey Jesus. Please forgive me when I have refused to obey Your Word, clinging on to what suits my agenda. Please speak to me so that I can make the responsible choice of obeying You, leaving all else behind and following Jesus. For His Name's sake. Amen.
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Tax collectors had a bad reputation. They took their pay as a sort of informal 'commission' from the tax payers. Nobody knew quite how much they ought to pay, and everybody suspected that the revenue officers were corrupt. Their social stigma placed them with prostitutes as the most despised people in society. No religious leader would be seen in their company. But Jesus knew that He was their only hope, and so He ate and talked with them.
Levi, his name indicates that his parents were from the priestly tribe, had not lived up to their expectations. But Jesus knew this cheat and He summoned him to join the team of disciples. Instead of counting the money and securing his financial future, Levi left it all behind as he obeyed the command of Jesus. Although many people drifted in and out of the travelling group of supporters, most of them gave up except the twelve appointed disciples (John 6:66-71). Each of them had heard the command to leave their old way of life and join with Jesus; and they obeyed.
Today many are drifting in and out of churches, thinking that it might be a good idea to experience religion; as though God awards points for trying to be good. Discipleship is not about following a crowd of friends into church, but hearing the command of Jesus and obeying. Christian faith is not something which we try to copy from others, but is a positive reaction to knowing that Jesus is calling and commanding obedience. Inevitably that will involve leaving corruption behind, whatever the cost. Christians are disciples by royal command, not personal preference. In John 15:16, Jesus said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." If you have heard His call to repent of sin and submit to His authority, have you obeyed? It is the only way to peace and purpose.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for deliberately calling people to obey Jesus. Please forgive me when I have refused to obey Your Word, clinging on to what suits my agenda. Please speak to me so that I can make the responsible choice of obeying You, leaving all else behind and following Jesus. For His Name's sake. Amen.
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