01-12-11 (Day 3) Luke 5:27-32

DAY 3

The passage I read was Luke 5:27-32

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5:27-32&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

In this passage, Jesus calls Levi (Matthew a tax collector) to follow after Him.  Upon doing so, Levi also gives Jesus a great feast at his house.  Some of the Pharisees and their scribes complained against Jesus’ disciples asking why they ate with tax collectors and sinners.  Jesus replied with two of my favorite verses, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

As I reflect:

First off, again the called immediately left everything behind with no question and followed after God.  I just love these examples of willingness to sacrifice it all at the leap of faith to follow after Jesus.  In this particular instance, again it was a very lucrative business.  Tax collecting of that time…and I guess of this time as well is a particularly wealthy industry.  During those days they were not allowed into the Jewish faith because tax collectors were viewed with such extreme distain as traitors and extortionist. So not much has changed I guess. Lol.  Anyhow I read once that the reason Matthew (Levi) invited Jesus over for a feast with all his friends, was so that they could meet Jesus.  The saying I heard was (and I love this), “A saved man doesn’t want to go to Heaven alone.”  Isn’t that awesome?!  Also, today I was reading a commentary on this passage and read an interesting point that I had not before heard made.  The Pharisees and their scribes were making an accusation indirectly against Jesus by accusing His disciples.  The same is also true today isn’t it?  Aren’t there those today that continue to attack Jesus through His disciples?  I know I have felt a portion of these attacks as a direct result of my following after Jesus and I count it all joy to relate to the disciples in this way.  And now a few quotes regarding the last 2 verses of the passage.  The following quotes received from Enduringword.com because I just had to share.  So powerful.

Jesus’ answer shows us what kind of people are really willing to come to Him as Savior - those who recognize their own need for salvation.
Some people think they will come to Jesus for a little bit of cosmetic surgery. They don’t think they are sick but they think they could use a little improvement. Jesus, the Great Physician, only admits patients who see themselves are truly sick and in need of a doctor.
The church is the only group in the world where you have to be unqualified before you can join.

My response to the Lord:

Lord again I see the devotion of your disciple and again I know that I am a failure in comparison to their willingness to lay it all down and follow you.  I am simply so complacent and selfish in my flesh that I often fail to put you first.  I am glad that I am compared only to my own past me and in that I have seen a great deal of progress as you continue convicting and working in me.  I am happy when I look back for comparison and I see a trail of your mercy and grace molding me.  I see on either side of the road I have travelled with you, there are these pieces of who I used to be.  The evidences of your chisel working away at my heart and today I can look at the fruit in my life and I know that you have provided every good thing; every good characteristic.  Without you Lord, I’d be lost not only now but for eternity.  Without you, I’d be damned to burn in hell fire and complete separation forever.  I know how very much I need you day and night in my life.  I know and am thankful for your Son Whom has done far more than just died on a cross.  Thank you Jesus for rising from the tomb and showing true your power over this world, over death, and over the enemy.  Thank you for salvation.  I want my friends to know you.  I want my family to know you and live for you.  I want the total strangers I come across everyday to repent and fall before your feet to receive your good grace Lord.   Help me to be more devoted that I may lay down my life completely without any hesitation and be more useful in bringing forth your kingdom.