25 Levi Follows Jesus

Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32; 15:1-10, TBC Book Two, Chapter 25
People were still talking about the miracle in Capernaum, wondering what amazing thing Jesus would do next. No house could contain the crowds that now followed him. So he walked near the lake and stood on the shore’s edge. After he finished teaching, he walked a bit farther, until he came to a tax collector’s booth. Then he did something that surprised everyone.

Jesus turned to the tax collector and said, “Why don’t you come with us? Come, follow me.”

Even his disciples stared in amazement. But the man, whose name was Levi, stood up immediately. How did this man, Jesus, know what he was thinking, what he was feeling?

“I’d like that,” he said. And before they knew it, they were all following the tax collector to his house. Levi gave a dinner party in honor of Jesus, and he invited all his friends and relatives. After a while, a few of the disciples stepped outside, feeling a bit uncomfortable. It wasn’t long before some Pharisees walked up to them and posed a question. . . .

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 25, for the rest of the story.)​

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Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: A judgmental spirit stokes hardheartedness—in others and in us. But love sets people free.
     A promise to cling to: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. . . . Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:1,4 NIV              
     A praise to fill you: Your Kindness   Leslie Phillips   [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds]

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