LESSONS FROM LEVI

Text: Luke 5:27-38

Introduction: Jesus had a band of brothers simply called the Twelve. They were a diverse group of followers—a microcosm of the body of Christ. They included fishermen (Andrew, Peter, James, and John); a doubter (Thomas); a lover of money (Judas); and a former tax collector (Matthew, or Levi). It all goes to show that no matter our background, Jesus can use us.

In this message, we’ll take a look at Matthew’s call, which is told with a paucity of words in Luke 5:27-28. Jesus’ words to Matthew are “Follow Me!” And Matthew’s response is immediate: “He left all, rose up, and followed Him.”

1.    The Call to Discipleship (Luke 5:27-28).

Being a tax collector has never been a popular position! In fact, Zacchaeus was the most hated man in Jericho because he overcharged his neighbors in his district of Capernaum. G. Campbell Morgan, famous British expositor, pictures Levi this way:

“The fact that he was a publican had also a distinct bearing necessarily upon his character. As we look at him we see him ‘sitting in the place of toll,’ at the head of the lake, by Capernaum. Day by day, there, he demanded and received the dues from the fishermen as they brought in their fish, and from the merchants as they brought their goods across the sea by boat. He was in the tetrarchy of Herod. Herod was a vassal of Rome. All the tolls collected were for him as tetrarch, but they were arranged by Rome itself. It was part of the Roman Empire, and this man, held in contempt by his fellow countrymen, nevertheless knew that behind him was the whole Roman government” (The Great Physician, p.107).

So, like Zacchaeus, he became rich in his job. Herod set the tax quota, and Levi pocketed the rest from overcharging at the “toll booth.” Levi’s call, voiced in two words, is immediately met with a quick response. He left everything—table, money, security, guaranteed income, family—everything for the joy of serving a new master and Lord.

2.    The Celebration Banquet (Luke 5:29)

Though Levi is a great student of the Old Testament and quotes it 99 times in his gospel (Matthew), this text records no words spoken by the new disciple. Instead, Levi throws a party! He shows his love for Jesus by inviting his tax collector friends to a banquet where they can meet the Lord and His disciples.

This is a good model to follow 20 centuries later. New converts have non-Christian friends. Yet a few years into the faith and many have trouble naming one friendship with someone who has not already begun their spiritual journey. But “Levis” throw parties where friends can meet Jesus, because new believers are bursting with first love and want to tell their story!

Did Jesus bring a message? I don’t think so. I think he merely engaged in table talk. Levi’s friends must have peppered him with questions about his new career. What about your money and family and house and security? I can imagine Levi just smiling and saying, “I’m leaving that all to Jesus!”

We can follow the lead of Levi. One Christmas my wife and I went up and down our street with invitations to a Christmas open house. People came, ate cookies, drank punch, and sang Christmas carols accompanied by a guitar. The guitar player was a brand new Christian. After several carols, he described how the previous Christmas he had sat in a bar in town singing these same carols with no idea what they meant. Then he met Jesus—and this Christmas was different! He was another Levi.

3.    The Critics Answered (Luke 5:30-38)

There are many occasions in Luke where Jesus is confronted by His critics. Jesus’ lunch with Zacchaeus and the complaint in Luke 15:2 reveal how often this surfaces. This banquet is no different. But now we read Jesus’ great threefold response:

• He is a doctor. “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick’ ” (5:30 nkjv). Read this carefully. Jesus was not teaching that these self-righteous Pharisees had no need to be converted. He pointed to their untrue belief that they had no need of salvation. In this word picture, Jesus taught that needy Levi had experienced the healing touch of the great physician and his soul had been healed. But the self-righteous said by their actions that they were okay and had no need of Jesus. They had their rules and pride and that was adequate for them—but not for God.
• He is a bridegroom. The Pharisees’ next criticism was about fasting. Why did they and the followers of John the Baptist fast, but not Jesus’ disciples? Jesus’ response was that you don’t fast at a wedding! Jesus reminded the critics that the Bridegroom was with them. It was a time of eating and drinking and celebrating with joy—like this banquet!  Jesus was gathering His bride, and a marriage supper in heaven was coming. These parties on earth were a foretaste of the “big party in heaven.” He pointed out that later when He ascended into heaven, His followers would fast.
  To show the new spirit of the kingdom, Jesus had another story.
• The change. Jesus then turned to the familiar in that culture—wine and wineskins. What was the wine? It is the message of the Sermon on the Mount. Life in the Beatitudes. Life that is a step above the past. It is seen in the phrase “you have heard, but I say to you.” It gives new meaning and definition to murder and adultery. It is a breath of fresh air. You don’t pour this new wine of the kingdom into old wineskins. Every critic listening at the banquet knew why. As the new wine ferments, the old wineskin will burst! As long as they were resting in the legalism and rules of their pharisaical life, His critics wouldn’t seek the new wine offered by Jesus.

4.    Lessons to Embrace:

• New converts have a network of friends who are non-Christians. Encourage new converts to share their story of God’s grace.
• Explore some fresh thinking about meals as a 21st-century form of outreach.
• When you become innovative, expect criticism.
• Remember the story of the rich, young ruler. He was a self-righteous rule keeper. Yet Mark 10:21 says Jesus loved him, even in his rejection. A heart that loves even the critical and self-righteous is a heart like that of Jesus.