The Invitation

Have you ever received an invitation to a dinner or party from someone you never thought even noticed you? It’s like a delightful surprise that can turn an ordinary day into something truly amazing!

That’s exactly what happened with Levi, who was also known as Matthew. Levi was a tax collector, a profession that carried a heavy stigma. Tax collectors were often viewed as traitors who collaborated with the Roman government or other officials to extract money from their own people. To make matters worse, they often collected more money than was owed and pocketed the extra for themselves.

Now, you can imagine the flurry of emotions Levi must have experienced when Jesus approached him. It was probably a mixture of disbelief and astonishment when Jesus not only recognized him but also invited him to follow Him. At that crucial moment, Levi made the monumental decision to leave his lucrative job behind without giving it a second thought. He abandoned everything he knew and stepped into the unknown with unwavering resolve.

Levi celebrated this life-changing event by inviting Jesus to his house for a dinner party. It’s important to note that, given Levi’s occupation as a tax collector, the only likely guests would have been his fellow tax collectors, men who were in the same controversial line of work and who were rejected by society because of it. The atmosphere at that dinner would have been charged with a unique mix of excitement and tension as Levi sought to introduce his friends to the person who had changed his life forever.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly as laughter and conversation filled the air. However, there were a few uninvited guests—Pharisees and teachers of the law—who couldn’t help but feel offended by what they saw. They watched disapprovingly as Jesus shared a meal with tax collectors and other people considered to be sinners by society. The flickering candlelight illuminated the joy and camaraderie at the table, which stood in sharp contrast to the judgmental looks from the uninvited guests. These onlookers murmured amongst themselves, unable to comprehend how someone so revered could associate with those they considered morally corrupt. Their outrage stemmed from their belief that, as descendants of Abraham, they were already righteous and did not require a savior or repentance. In their eyes, they were above the moral failings they so readily judged in others. But in His divine wisdom, Jesus made it abundantly clear to these religious leaders that the sick, not the healthy, require a doctor. With this simple yet profound statement, He highlighted the fundamental truth of His earthly mission. (See Luke 5:29-31)

Picture the scene: Jesus, the Holy One, God in human form, chose to sit at the table with those who were considered to be sinners and outcasts. His life and ministry were focused on individuals who were spiritually lost and physically afflicted, illustrating the depth of God’s love and grace. His presence among those who recognized their need for redemption signifies the heart of the Gospel; salvation is available to all, but only those who acknowledge their brokenness will accept His invitation to the feast.

So, I ask you, dear friend: have you received an invitation from Jesus? Have you felt that He is calling you to join Him at His table, to share a meal with Him, to walk alongside Him, and eventually to spend eternity in His presence? For those of you who haven’t already accepted this invitation, I strongly urge you to surrender your life to Jesus. Let’s follow the example of Levi and many other disciples who said yes to Jesus’ call without hesitation and never looked back.

All we need to do is to trust in Him. When Levi accepted Jesus’ invitation, he had no idea what lay ahead on his journey. All he knew was that Jesus paused, recognized his worth, and chose him. Jesus saw Levi not for who he was in that moment but for who he could become.

This truth resonates with our own lives as well. Jesus beheld our flaws and failures as He hung on the cross, yet He still chose to die for us because He saw what we could become. He understood that we were worth every bit of His sacrifice.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the incredible sacrifice Your Son, Jesus, made for us. We are in awe of Your deep understanding of our needs and the unconditional love You extended to us, even while we were sinners. With open hearts, we accept Your gracious invitation to join You at Your table, eager to partake in the wondrous gifts that await us beyond this earthly existence. As we journey through our lives, may we continually dwell in You and immerse ourselves in Your Word. Just as the Vine sustains and nourishes its branches, we seek to draw strength and life from You, our true Vine. We acknowledge that apart from You, we are powerless, unable to bear fruit or fulfill our purpose. Help us remain connected to You so that we may thrive in our faith and bear witness to Your love and grace.

Reference

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.